Books from South Africa
South African writing spans fiction, poetry, memoir and thriller. It often reflects the country's social change, its cities and its landscapes. The books below come from these traditions.
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Contemporary Fiction
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Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee
A novel about a university professor who moves to the Eastern Cape after losing his post.
- Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton. A novel about a rural priest who travels to Johannesburg to find his son.
Mystery & Thriller
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Zoo City by Lauren Beukes
A novel set in a Johannesburg where people with criminal records carry animal companions.
- Devil's Peak by Deon Meyer. A crime novel set in Cape Town and centred on a police detective.
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
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Moxyland by Lauren Beukes
A science fiction novel set in a near future Cape Town.
- The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes. A novel about a serial killer and a survivor who hunts him across time.
Poetry
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Black Butterflies by Ingrid Jonker
A selection of poems by a South African poet.
Memoir & Nonfiction
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Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
An autobiography covering the author's life and his role in the struggle against apartheid.
- Country of My Skull by Antjie Krog. A work of nonfiction about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa.
How we choose
These lists start from books Atlas Unread readers can stamp for South Africa. Each title and author is confirmed against Wikidata, Wikipedia or library records before it is listed.