South Africa: After Tears
Title: After Tears, 2011, http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?qwork=10467719&matches=13&keyword=niq+mhlongo&cm_sp=works*listing*title
Author: Niq Mhlongo
Synopsis: Niq Mhlongo creates a world that eases the reader into feeling empathy and concern for the anti-hero of the novel, Bafana Kuzwayo. Bafana is a failed law student that is flung into a failed system of nepotism and graft. The scenario is all too common in Africa. The protagonist is a representation of all the people after the struggle for independence. The lies and the deception become the reality of the protagonist and he becomes totally engulfed in the legal trials of his kinsmen and friends. There is humor and there is tragedy in the ventures of this young man. In all, the reader may conclude that South Africa remains changed by the unchanged…. in the aftermath of the tempered revolution.
Critique: I enjoyed reading this book because it echoed my own experiences in South Africa. Niq Mhlongo captures the hopes and desperation of the people in a modern, appealing writing style. His characterization of the people is keenly accurately. I do find that the author is able to infuse humor into a sad situation. This was appreciated. It is easy to condemn others, but this book leads one to see the similarity in the foes and heroes. Social Science students and educators will enjoy debating and contrasting the many elements in this work.
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