The Cleansing

It quickly becomes clear Romance is the name of the main character, not the emotional entanglement in which she lives. A shy, but quietly determined young woman, working in a small southern African town - saving furiously for the future but living a day’s journey from her village and her husband. Life appears routine.

Whilst she is facing up to the trials and sadness a lonely New Year brings, the consequences and implications of the traditional rites of the past, still practiced throughout her country and more apparently around where she lives, force her to make some life changing decisions.

We are taken into towns where western values and aspirations encroach, into townships where the black economy and old rituals persist and through shanty towns on city boundaries where tsotsi gangs run vice and drugs.

Connor weaves a powerful plot, full of vivid encounters and fascinating characters. He depicts the harsh reality that still faces many, particularly the women, in Africa today, but never missing those opportunities for touches of humour and moments of gentleness that allow for hope to survive in desperate circumstances. A well deserved read.