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Mine Boy
'One of my all-time favourite novels' (Tsitsi Dangarembga)
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Check link for latest rating. ( 1,094 ratings, 107 reviews)
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Mine Boy
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See moreOne of the first ever African novels in English by a radical black South African writer: the 1946 classic of one boy's loves, friendships and political awakening as a mine worker in Johannesburg's slums.
One of the first ever African novels in English by a radical black South African writer: the 1946 classic of one boy's loves, friendships and political awakening as a mine worker in Johannesburg's slums.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
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Description
'One of my all-time favourite novels.' Tsitsi Dangarembga
'The first African novel in English to draw international attention.' New York Times
'The forerunner of an entire school of African literary art.' Sunday Times
And the black man and the white were like two men alone in the world ....
Xuma will never forget the day he arrived in the Johannesburg slums: the charismatic woman who takes him in, the brutal police raids, the fights, friendships, dancing, drinking, and romances – yet it soon feels like home. But when he becomes a leader in the city's gold mines, he is shocked by the racist treatment of the labourers. And as he begins to question whether 'man could be without colour', Xuma stages an act of defiance that changes his life forever . . .
In 1946, Peter Abrahams' classic novel Mine Boy exposed South Africa's fledgling racial apartheid system and townships to the world – and its wisdom, vividness, and political power endure to this day.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Mine Boy by Peter Abrahams is celebrated for being the first African novel in English to gain international acclaim. The book is recognised for its profound impact, with renowned author Nadine Gordimer praising Abrahams as a pioneering figure who paved the way for future South African writers.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780571376414
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 01 December 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Faber & Faber
Edition: Main
Audience: General / adult, Teenage
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 16.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 230g
Pages: 272
About the Author
Peter Abrahams was born in Vrededorp, near Johannesburg, in 1919. His Ethiopian father worked in the gold mines; his mother was the daughter of a black African father and white French mother, classifying Abrahams as 'coloured'. After his father's death, he had an impoverished childhood, selling firewood and working for a tinsmith, but won a scholarship to school. In 1939, Abrahams left South Africa for European exile, writing for the Communist Daily Worker, befriending political activists and organising the Fifth Pan-African Congress. His first book was published in 1942, followed by ten volumes of trailblazing fiction and autobiography exposing racial injustice. He settled in Jamaica in 1956 where he lived until his death aged 97, writing and broadcasting radio commentaries; he was married twice, both to white Englishwomen, and had three children.
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