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Book of the Month 2025

Here you will find all reviews of the Book of the Month 2025 series. Written by South Africans for South Africans. Interesting authors like Nakhane Touré, Farai Mudzingwa and more. Check regulary for new reviews!

An open book in front of a book shelf. The book of the Month logo is right above that open book. © Goethe Institut Johannesburg

Book of the Month reviews 2025

  • Darlings of Durban - Book of the Month November

    Darlings of Durban by sociologist-turned-author Shafinaaz Hassim follows the story of four women, who affectionately refer to themselves as the “darlings” as they navigate the complexities of family life, strict religious practices, suffocating cultural expectations, complicated relationships, broken marriages, debilitating financial struggles and many other challenges whilst belonging to and living in and among the Indian community of Durban.

    Darlings of Durban - Book of the Month November © Shafinaaz Hassim © Shafinaaz Hassim

  • Period Pain - Book of the Month October

    Period Pain is an epistolary and intimate novel of a nation in crisis. It tells the story of Masechaba, a young black doctor struggling to survive in an under-resourced South African public health system while grappling with personal trauma, endometriosis, and living in a dysfunctional country.
     

    Buchcover von „Period Pain“ von Kopano Matlwa, das das Profil einer afrikanischen Frau von hinten auf orangefarbenem Hintergrund mit Titel zeigt. © Period Pain by Kopano Matlwa © Period Pain by Kopano Matlwa

  • The Comrade’s Wife - Book of the Month September

    The Comrade’s Wife by Barbara Boswell is a riveting tale of love, lust, marriage, politics, devotion, deceit, friendship, courage and so much more told though the eyes of our protagonist, Dr. Anita Fredericks.

    Book cover of The Comrade's Wife by Barbara Boswell, showing a woman's shadowed profile on an orange background, with title, subtitle, and a quote from Pumla Dineo Gqola. © The Comrade's Wife by Barbara Boswell is Jacana Media © The Comrade's Wife by Barbara Boswell is Jacana Media

  • Nervous Conditions - Book of the Month August

    Nervous Conditionsis a book that covers imperialism, colonisation, women's rights, and race. The story exposes us to these experiences through the lens of a young black woman from a colonised country.

    Web teaser for August Book of the Month: Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga | © Faber Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga | © Faber

  • Three Egg Dilemma - Book of the Month July

    How do people get their nicknames, what do they say and what is the story behind each person?

    The picture is a collage for the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg's Book of the Month July with a picture of the book cover Three Egg Dilemma and a portrait picture of Tonderai Chiyindiko, who reviewed the book. In the background are African patterns. © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg| Zanoxolo Bonginkosi Muchanga | Faber © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg| Zanoxolo Bonginkosi Muchanga | Faber

  • Notes On Falling - Book of the Month June

    The novel tells an interwoven narrative of a  reflection on photography, dance, space, and storytelling.

    The image is a graphic with the title ‘Book of the Month - June 2025’. At the centre is the book ‘Notes on Falling’ by Bronwyn Law-Viljoen. The book cover shows an empty street stretching into the distance. Buildings can be seen in the background, suggesting an urban environment. The scene appears calm and deserted. To the right of the graphic is a round portrait photo of Moon Mokgoro, who reviewed the book. The photo is framed in a circle and stands out visually from the rest of the graphic. The design is clearly structured, with an easy-to-read font and a focus on the book cover and the reviewer. © UMUZI | Moon Mokgoro | Goethe-Institut Johannesburg © UMUZI | Moon Mokgoro | Goethe-Institut Johannesburg

  • Buried in the Chest - Book of the Month May

    The wind of Moya which is both real and in some ways a metaphor is omnipresent as through it lives are shaken, truths are unveiled and heavy chests are finally able to reveal.

    The image is a promotional poster for a book entitled ‘Buried in the Chest’ by Lindani Lindani Mbunyuza-Memani. The poster highlights that this book is the ‘Book of the Month’ for May 2025. It also mentions that the book was reviewed by Tonderai Chiyindiko. The background of the poster is green with purple and orange geometric patterns. There are two blurred areas, one covering part of the book cover and another covering the portrait photo of Tonderai Chiyindiko. © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg| Jacana Media| Zanoxolo Bonginkosi Muchanga © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg| Jacana Media| Zanoxolo Bonginkosi Muchanga

  • So Long a Letter - Book of the Month April

    The works and writings Mariama Bâ are critical and essential because of the unique and underrepresented perspective they give. Her beliefs and experiences are unveiled and communicated through this epistolary novel in the form of a letter.

    On the left is the cover of “So Long a Letter”, on the right a picture of Moon Mokgoro the reviewer, with African patterns in the background. © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg

  • Avenues by Train - Book of the Month March

    Avenues By Train a welcome addition to Zimbabwe’s literary milieu and showcases the talents of an author who is deeply engaged with his country and its society.

    Book cover of Avenue by Train on the left side and on the right side a portrait photo of the reviewer Tonderai Chiyindiko, top right in the picture the logo of the book of the month. © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg

  • Piggy Boy's Blues - Book of the Month February

    Piggy Boy’s Blues is a tragedy, its self-discovery, its melancholy put into words. It is graphic. [...] What does it mean to be a man? What does it mean to love? Who do you transform into during moments of violation?

    The Cover of Piggy Boy's Blues on the left hand side and a profil picture of reviewer Moon Mokgoro on the right hand side. © Goethe Institut Johannesburg © Goethe Institut Johannesburg

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