Over the last two decades, South African literature has produced some of the most fascinating explorations of temporary return visits and permanent homecomings. An eclectic range of writers such as Zakes Mda in
The Heart of Redness(2000), Nadine Gordimer in
No Time Like the Present(2012) and Mongane Wally Serote in
Rumours(2013) interrogate the exile’s permanent journey home as participating in the construction of a New South Africa. The temporary return home visit is explored by Anne Landsman in
The Rowing Lesson(2007), Marlene van Niekerk in
Agaat(2006) and Zoë Wicomb in
October(2014). Notably, the return of the protagonist in the latter three novels is prompted by the imminent death of a family member. It is Wicomb, however, who interrogates the notion of ‘home’ further…
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Citation: Ilsley, Natalie. "October". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 27 February 2020 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=38975, accessed 23 April 2024.]
