Sibusiso Nyembezi (1919–2000)

Originally written in Zulu in 1961, the translation retains much of what I presume is the syntax, cadence, and diction of that language. It’s a simple story about a (black) “city slicker” who shows up in remote farming country, intent on scamming his countrymen. I enjoyed it more for the insight into daily life and the speech patterns than for the writing or the plot. Somewhat surprisingly (to me) named one of Africa’s 100 Best Books of the 20th Century, a generally excellent list which you can see and learn about here.… (más)