Ancient paths. New literary journeys.
Dear Readers,
The Book Lounge is running a special this week that should not be resisted.
20% off for The Frightened by Lethokuhle Msimang, R208 instead of R260. Offer valid until 30 April.
We promise you that you will want to have a copy of the first edition of this book.
Literary greetings,
Karavan Press
Click here to order: The Frightened by Lethokuhle Msimang
Earlier today, Karen Jennings addressed the Rondebosch Book Club about her novel, An Island. She called her talk “The novel no one wanted to publish”. She had a copy of the UK edition of the book with her. It was the first time I held it in my hands. Until it was published, I did not know that one of the quotes used for its cover would be taken from a review I wrote of Space Inhabited by Echoes, Karen’s debut poetry collection, for the Cape Times. I am so happy that these words are featured on the back of the novel. I have loved Karen’s work for a very long time. It is such an honour to be able to publish it in South Africa.
An Island is now available in seventeen different editions around the world.
This is Karavan Press’s:
At the end of her talk, Karen read from her new novel, Crooked Seeds, to be published around the world in April 2024! We can’t wait to share it with South African readers.
Publishing poetry is an honour. And when a collection is as exquisite as Kerry Hammerton’s fourth, afterwards, it is pure delight, too. We launched the book last night at The Book Lounge. Kerry was in conversation with Finuala Dowling and read from her beautiful collection – in content and design (the book features Kerry’s photograph on the cover and was designed by Monique Cleghorn). Another magical event that encourages me to continue working for what I am hoping to create at Karavan Press – a sense of literary belonging, a home for writers.
I want to thank The Book Lounge for supporting us from the moment when Karavan Press was only a dream. Many thanks to Finuala Dowling for her sublime writing, and for everything that she does to nurture writers in South Africa and beyond. Finuala edited afterwards. Thank you, Kerry, for joining the Karavan Press family. And thank you to all poetry lovers who joined us last night, especially all – present and future – Karavan Press authors.
It gives us great joy to announce that Karavan Press author Michael Boyd has been shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2023 with his story “Mama Blue”. Michael’s debut novel, The Weight of Shade, is forthcoming from Karavan Press.
“The story of a man remembering his life through the memories of his neighbour, Mama Blue. With touches of the magical, ‘Mama Blue’ is about hope in our ever-changing world, and how we can use the past to look forward.”
You can listen to Michael talk about his story here: “Mama Blue”
Congratulations, Michael, and all shortlisted authors!
Look out for The Weight of Shade, a haunting, gothic tale that explores the bearing of the past on our lives and whether we can ever escape the circumstances thrust upon us.
It gives us great joy to invite you to the launch of Kerry Hammerton’s fourth poetry collection, afterwards. She will be in conversation with Finuala Dowling. A poetic event not to be missed!
In this lyrical, fragmented novella, Lethokuhle Msimang uses autobiographical and poetic interventions to lead the reader through landscapes of loss and longing, travelling between France, China, Spain and South Africa, to explore the troubled terrain of leaving and finding home. At once exhilarating, heart-breaking and haunting, The Frightened speaks to the complexity of relationships, the pain of love, the effects of trauma, the necessity and constant work of healing, and the unfulfillable wish to feel a true sense of belonging. It is the story of finding one’s voice amidst inherited violence, and the importance of art and creativity in that process.
Publication date: April 2023
ISBN: 978-0-6397-7484-8
LETHOKUHLE MSIMANG was born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. She graduated with a BA in Literary Studies and Creative Arts from the American University of Paris and an MA in Creative Writing from Rhodes University. Her poems have appeared in New Coin, Grocott’s Mail, Hanging Loose, The Paris/Atlantic and Stanzas, amongst others. She is the author of, Hubris, a collection of poems. The Frightened is her first novella.
LETHOKUHLE MSIMANG was born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. She graduated with a BA in Literary Studies and Creative Arts from the American University of Paris and an MA in Creative Writing from Rhodes University. Her poems have appeared in New Coin, Grocott’s Mail, Hanging Loose, The Paris/Atlantic and Stanzas, amongst others. She is the author of, Hubris, a collection of poems. The Frightened is her first novella.
karavanpress.com 