This book by
South African writer Lauretta Ngcobo is one of the saddest books I have ever read. I am hard pressed to think of a piece of
art meant for
commercial consumption that depressed me more. It was originally published in 1991, but has been reprinted several times since then.
It deals with the issue of Apartheid rule, but tackles the subject from a variety of angles. It also deals with the sexism found in much of the tribal system throughout Africa, and shows the reader how the white colonists could manipulate that to their advantage. It is truly a chilling tale, following several generations of African women, and should be avoided by anyone searching for a light read.