[Sponsored] First look at Knucklebone, the debut novel from Nechama Brodie
Nechama Brodie’s debut novel Knucklebone will be published by Pan Macmillan in February! The book comes highly recommended by Sarah…
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[Conversation Issue] ‘We bury our stories and wonder why we are in so much pain’—Mohale Mashigo talks to Jennifer Malec about The Yearning
As part of our January Conversation Issue, Mohale Mashigo chats to The JRB Editor Jennifer Malec. The Yearning Mohale Mashigo…
[Conversation Issue] ‘I’ve become emboldened and do not give a shit anymore’—Award-winning author of Penumbra Songeziwe Mahlangu talks to Mbali Sikakana
As part of our January Conversation Issue, Mbali Sikakana interviews award-winning author Songeziwe Mahlangu. Penumbra Songeziwe Mahlangu Kwela Books, 2013…
[Sponsored] What went so badly wrong with land restitution? A new book investigates
A new book titled Rights to Land: A Guide to Tenure Upgrading and Restitution in South Africa, by William Beinart,…
[Conversation Issue] ‘Lagos is home, the place where I don’t have to explain myself’—Chibundu Onuzo chats to Wamuwi Mbao about Welcome to Lagos
As part of our January Conversation Issue, Wamuwi Mbao chats to Chibundu Onuzo. Welcome to Lagos Chibundu Onuzo Faber and…
[Conversation Issue] ‘Readers of African novels published in the West are a lot more diverse now’—Anietie Isong chats about his debut novel Radio Sunrise
As part of our January Conversation Issue, Anietie Isong chats to Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike about his debut novel Radio Sunrise,…
[Sponsored] Listen to an audio book preview of The Demon Crown: The new Sigma Force novel by James Rollins
The Demon Crown is the new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author James Rollins, the latest riveting and…
Two poems by Angifi Dladla
The Johannesburg Review of Books presents two poems by Angifi Dladla. PHRRR You flew away, never bothered; I dove and…
[Conversation Issue] Found poems by Makhosazana Xaba, from Mohale Mashigo’s novel The Yearning
As part of our January Conversation Issue, we present new found poetry by The JRB Patron Makhosazana Xaba, a creative…
[Conversation Issue] [City Editor] Niq Mhlongo reveals how he missed his own debut book launch, leading to an astounding moment at the Abantu Book Festival twelve years later
As part of our January Conversation Issue, The JRB presents City Editor Niq Mhlongo’s keynote speech from the 2017 BRICS…
New short fiction: Fred Khumalo’s debut isiZulu short story ‘Kwakungcono eGibhithe’, from the anthology Izinkanyezi Ezintsha
The JRB presents new fiction from novelist and memoirist Fred Khumalo. This a first for both The JRB and Khumalo:…
[In Memoriam] [Photo Editor] A selection of Victor Dlamini’s portraits of Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile
The JRB presents Victor Dlamini’s literary portraits of Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile. South Africa’s National Poet Laureate, Keorapetse Kgositsile, passed…
[In Memoriam] Elinor Sisulu remembers Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile (including tributes from Njabulo Ndebele, Fred Khumalo and Sandile Memela)
Elinor Sisulu shared this tribute to South Africa’s Poet Laureate Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile, who died on the third of…
[In Memoriam] [Photo Editor] Listen to Victor Dlamini’s 2008 interview with Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile
The JRB Photo Editor Victor Dlamini interviewed South African Poet Laureate Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile back in 2008. Listen to the…
[In Memoriam] Watch a video of Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile on the importance of platforms for African literature
The Johannesburg Review of Books presents footage in memoriam of South Africa’s National Poet Laureate, Keorapetse Kgositsile, who passed away…
[In Memoriam] Nthikeng Mohlele remembers Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile
Nthikeng Mohlele honours South African National Poet Laureate Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile, who passed away in January. A Person of…
Guinean author Tierno Monénembo honoured with Grand Prix de la Francophonie
Guinean novelist and biochemist Tierno Monénembo received the Grand Prix de la Francophonie at a ceremony late last year at…
« Le bébé est mort. » Leïla Slimani explodes the French home in the newly translated Lullaby
The English translation of French–Moroccan author Leïla Slimani’s award-winning novel, Chanson Douce, is out this month. The book, the title…
Letter: David van Schoor responds to Sarah Ruden
David van Schoor responds to Sarah Ruden’s letter, published in our December issue, addressing Van Schoor’s review of her translation…
Details of memorial services for Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile (1938—2018): 11, 12 and 16 January
South Africa’s National Poet Laureate, Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile, passed away in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 3 January. He was seventy-nine….
Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile, South Africa’s National Poet Laureate, RIP
South Africa’s National Poet Laureate, Keorapetse ‘Bra Willie’ Kgositsile, has died in Johannesburg. Kgositsile passed away at Milpark Hospital in…
[The JRB Daily] The Johannesburg Review of Books’s Book of the Year
The JRB’s Editor takes a look back at 2017 and picks out the single work that left the biggest impression….
[The JRB Daily] The JRB 2017 Top Fifty: Our fifty most popular posts from Vol. 1
Since our launch in May, we have published eight issues of reviews, interviews, essays, poetry, photography and short fiction. From…
[The JRB Daily] Shortlist announced for the 2017 Gerald Kraak Award for writing and photography on gender, human rights and sexuality in Africa
The shortlist for the 2017 Gerald Kraak Award has been announced, including The JRB Francophone and Contributing Editor Efemia Chela….
[The JRB Daily] Judging panel announced for 2018 Caine Prize
The Caine Prize for African Writing has announced the five judges for the 2018 edition of the award. Dinaw Mengestu,…
[The JRB Daily] ‘This is unlike any other literary festival’—Sifiso Mzobe and Shubnum Khan talk writing at the Abantu Book Festival
Sifiso Mzobe and Shubnum Khan were in conversation with Sihle Mthembu at the Abantu Book Festival in Soweto last weekend….
[The JRB Daily] 2017 Abantu Book Festival focuses on legacy: Libraries, free books for children, and plans to rotate around South African cities
The second annual Abantu Book Festival kicked off in Soweto today, and festival director Thando Mgqolozana emphasised the event’s focus…
[The JRB Daily] 2018 9mobile Prize for Literature longlist announced
The longlist for the 2017 9mobile Prize for Literature (formerly the Etisalat Prize for Literature) has been announced. South African…
[The JRB Daily] 2017 Short Story Day Africa Prize longlist announced
The longlist for the Short Story Day Africa Prize for Short Fiction has been announced. The prize is worth $1,000…
The Johannesburg Review of Books Vol. 1, Issue 8 (December 2017, The Fiction Issue)
Welcome to the eighth issue of The Johannesburg Review of Books. In South Africa, there’s December, and there’s Dezemba—the latter…
[Fiction issue] ‘Snake Story’, new short fiction by Henrietta Rose-Innes
The JRB presents new short fiction by Contributing Editor Henrietta Rose-Innes. Author’s note: I began to write this Twitter story…
[Sponsored] Listen to an excerpt from The Sparsholt Affair, the masterly new novel from Alan Hollinghurst
Pan Macmillan has shared an excerpt from audiobook of The Sparsholt Affair, the highly anticipated new novel from Alan Hollinghurst….
[Fiction issue] ‘Lolwethu Oluthando’, a short story by Julie Nxadi
Exclusive to The JRB, a new short story by Julie Nxadi. This story is excerpted from Cutting Carrots the Wrong Way,…
‘I don’t believe in showing off’: Nthikeng Mohlele chats about his award-winning novel Pleasure and future artistic pursuits
Nthikeng Mohlele’s Pleasure was recently longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award—this after winning two major South Africa literary prizes in 2017. The…
[Sponsored] Jacques Pauw’s groundbreaking book In the Heart of the Whore: The Story of Apartheid’s Death Squads
Jacques Pauw’s groundbreaking book In the Heart of the Whore: The Story of Apartheid’s Death Squads, originally published in 1991, has…
[Fiction issue] ‘I am here, Amor Swart, 1986. May tomorrow never come.’ Exclusive excerpt from a work in progress by Damon Galgut
The JRB presents an exclusive excerpt from a novel in progress by Damon Galgut. ~ ~ ~ By the time…
[Fiction issue] ‘Boy’, new short fiction by Yewande Omotoso
Exclusive to The JRB, new short fiction by Editorial Advisory Panel member Yewande Omotoso. ~~~ Boy They were the sort…
[Sponsored] First look at Under Glass, the new novel from Claire Robertson
Penguin Random House South Africa has revealed details of the new Claire Robertson novel, to be released in January 2018. Robertson…
The Visiting Hours: A dispatch from Harare by Tonderai Munyevu
The author visited Harare, Zimbabwe shortly after the military intervention that led to President Robert Mugabe’s resignation on 21 November,…
[Fiction issue] ‘Some Men’, a new short story by SJ Naudé
Exclusive to The JRB, new short fiction from SJ Naudé. ~~~ Some Men Jakob leaves the gift on the roof…