Dinaane: Short Stories by Women from South Africa (Short Stories by Women from Around the World)

The African writer, Yvonne Vera, used to recall that, as a young girl in the cotton fields, the urge to write was so strong that with no pen and paper available she picked up a twig and started to scratch words onto her skin. Stories in South Africa kept the dream of freedom alive during the colonial and apartheid years; and the tradition of the people and elders of a village meeting under the shade of a tree is based on telling stories as a way of arriving at an understanding. This rich tradition is brought to life here, by women who write of and from the landscape and its people. Part of a series showcasing contemporary women writers from around the world. Maggie Davey is the publishing director of independent South African publishing house, Jacana Media. Born in South Africa of Irish parents, she grew up in County Westmeath and was educated at University College Galway. She has been a journalist, a scriptwriter and a writer of fiction. Stories In South Africa Kept The Dream Of Freedom Alive During The Colonial And Apartheid Years; And The Tradition Of The People And Elders Of A Village Meeting Under The Shade Of A Tree Is Based On Telling Stories As A Way Of Arriving At An Understanding. From The Fertile Land Of Cycadia To The Suburbs Of Johannesburg, This Rich Tradition Is Brought To Life Here, By Women Who Write Of And From The Landscape And Its People. These Contemporary Tales Are Informed By A Rich Folkloric History, As Well As A Recently Troubled Past, And Offer A Tantalising Glimpse Of Modern-day South Africa.--book Jacket. Edited By Maggie Davey. Stories in South Africa kept the dream of freedom alive during the colonial and apartheid years; and the tradition of telling stories was considered as a way of arriving at an understanding. This book talks about the rich tradition of African storytelling and is a part of a series showcasing contemporary women writers from around the world.