Editor Lauren Mc Diarmid Designer Sean Robertson Sub Editor Frieda Le Roux
Contributors Tams Lomas, Gareth Crocker, Jan Braai, Ilse Verster, Bun Booyens, Erla-Mari Diedericks, Martin Steyn, Paul Skelton, Steve Smith
Welcome to another great issue of your ultimate guide to the world of books. This edition is brimming with memories, ideas and opinions that make a difference āthe perfect companion for any book lover.
We start with our exclusive interview with Jan Braai, who celebrates South Africaās Heritage Day (or, heritage month, as some might celebrate it) with tales of unity and unforgettable braai memories.
In fiction, we discover more about Richard Osmanās latest adventure (weāll give you a clue: it involves a murder) and Gareth Crockerās chilling new thriller. Weāre also super excited to welcome Jodi Picoult to the Penguin family. Her novel is a literature loverās dream, which raises the question, What if Shakespeare was a woman? We already know you canāt wait to dig your teeth into that one, so weāve given you an extract! Thank us later.
And finally, as we approach the new year, weād love to hear your thoughts on our beloved magazine. What do you want to see more of? What can we do without? Share your thoughts, and you could stand in line to win a stack of books from this issue to the value of R1Ā 000.
So, find your happy place and happy reading!
Lauren Mc Diarmid
ThePost@penguinrandomhouse.co.za
news | snippets | whatās new
bookscape
Everyoneās talking about
ā¦ THE MAJOR NEW PUBLICATION BY YUVAL NOAH HARARI
Stories brought us together. Books spread our ideas ā and our mythologies. The internet promised infinite knowledge. The algorithm learned our secrets ā and then turned us against each other. What will AI do? From renowned historian and the bestselling author of Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari, comes the story of how information networks have made, and unmade, our world.
For the last 100,000 years, we Sapiens have accumulated enormous power. But despite all our discoveries, inventions and conquests, we now find ourselves in an existential crisis. The world is on the verge of ecological collapse. Misinformation abounds. And we are rushing headlong into the age of AI ā a new information network that threatens to annihilate us. If we are so wise, why are we so self-destructive?
Nexus considers how the flow of information has shaped us, and our world. Taking us from the Stone Age through the Bible, early modern witch-hunts, Stalinism, Nazism and the resurgence of populism today, Yuval Noah Harari asks us to consider the complex relationship between information and truth, bureaucracy and mythology, wisdom and power. He explores how different societies and political systems have wielded information to achieve their goals, for good and ill. And he addresses the urgent choices we face as non-human intelligence threatens our very existence.
Information is not the raw material of truth; neither is it a mere weapon. Nexus explores the hopeful middle ground between these extremes, and of rediscovering our shared humanity.
Nexus is a deeply entertaining and engaging work of history and philosophy, much like Sapiens, that reminds us that we are all living on a continuum, that everything is connected. AI didnāt come out of nowhere, and it is only by understanding our past that we can begin to shape our future.
Nexus is on shelves now.
DOMINATING THE BESTSELLER LISTS A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
āI just reread A Gentleman in Moscow ... Itās a wonderful book at any time, and this time it brought home to me how people find ways to be happy, make connections, and make a diļ¬erence to one anotherās lives, even in the strangest, saddest and most restrictive circumstances.ā
Tana French, author of The Hunter
#bookstagram
MUST of the MONTH
Tams Lomas is a book-loving stay-at-home mum trying to find time to read all the fantasy, YA and historical fiction novels on her to-be-read pile.
āIt was great to be back in the world of Otera (or maybe not, because itās falling apart, thanks to the gods) with Deka and her friends. In The Eternal Ones, the third and final book in Namina Fornaās Gilded Ones trilogy, we discover that there is more to the pantheon of gods than just the Oteran ones. Like Deka, I very much kept waiting for the other shoe to drop when we met the Maiwurian gods, but thankfully they were awesome through and through. I absolutely love that you find out Iksaās origins and get to meet his family, because he has been my favourite companion throughout the series. And speaking of favourite companions, Britta never fails to stand by Dekaās side and just be awesome. Britta is the absolute most valuable player of this little found family. One of my favourite things about Namina Fornaās writing is that there is love and friendship but the romance never gets in the way of the plot at pivotal points. It is fantasy first and foremost which I really enjoyed.ā The Eternal Ones by Namina Forna is out now.
Let us know what you think of The Penguin Post, and you could be the lucky winner of a hamper of books from this issue valued at R1 000. To enter, scan the code using your phone camera, or visit www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za/ competitions. Ts & Cs apply. Entries close 31 October 2024.
OUT IN PAPERBACK
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
The fourth and final novel in the Thursday Murder Club series involves a friendās murder and a missing package. The team faces art forgers, fraudsters, and dealers. Will their luck run out?
The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella
Sasha, overwhelmed and seeking solace at a rundown Devon resort, meets Finn. Shared messages on the beach reveal deeper connections and mysteries. The bestselling authorās new standalone.
Island in the Sun by Katie Fforde
Amid hurricane devastation, photographer Cass travels to sunny Dominica to photograph rare stone carvings, assisted by journalist Ranulph. Despite the circumstances, and Cassās doubts, love may just blossom.
Five minutes with ā¦ GARETH CROCKER
A man with many irons in the re, Gareth Crocker luckily found the time to write a chilling new thriller.
Who is Gareth Crocker?
Former footballer who dreamed of playing right wing for Manchester United, author of seven novels (including the fanfavourite Finding Jack), international screenwriter/ director and father of two brilliant young women.
Now You Su er is your comeback book. Tell us about it.
Now You Su er is a novel Iāve been itching to write. It tells the story of a suicidal detective who, after losing his daughter in a botched kidnapping, wants to end his life. However, heās trapped in a kind of purgatory as he canāt check out until he finds the man responsible for murdering his child. Sounds depressing, right? Only it isnāt. If anything, this novel has more humour in it than anything Iāve ever written. Itās also fast-paced with the kind of ābig-swingā twist that has kept me awake for more nights than I can remember. Ultimately, Now You Su er is an entertaining and uplifting story that will take readers
to a very unexpected place. Iām already working on the follow-up, Now You Bleed, which will be out next year.
So who are the main characters and what can readers look forward to?
Both Now You Su er and the novels to follow will be centred around Detective Ruben Ellis, a behemoth of a man. As an ex-South African Special Forces Brigade operative, Ruben is no stranger to pain and suffering. He also has a gift for spotting details ā the slightest minutia āthat others are oblivious to. His ageing and sarcastic partner, Zander Malan, is a dry and loyal soul whoās doing his best to support Ruben even as he navigates his way through a catastrophic divorce. Ruben and Zander are complemented by Rubenās highly unconventional therapist, Melissa Evans, who is trying her utmost to keep Ruben alive. Bold, brash and brilliant, Melissa soon begins to assist Ruben and Zander on the case. Now You Su er also introduces
a one-of-a-kind villain.
A man who lives deep underground ā¦ and who has more than a few buried secrets to share.
Do you plot your stories, or did Ruben Ellis and the other characters surprise you as you kept on writing?
I always plot upfront and create a broad outline.
I think too many authors are guilty of coming up with a great idea to begin a story ā¦ but have no idea how to finish it. If I donāt have a clear idea of where Iām going, I wonāt waste my time (or the readers). Of course, the outline is only a rough guide and will always change as I explore the story, but most of the key markers ā the reasons I set out to write the book in the first place ā will
remain. Of course, the best part of writing is how your characters surprise and delight you along the way. As I see it, Ruben, Zander and Melissa have now transcended the page and are real people living out in the world.
Now You Su er is out now.
In 2005, Jan Braai founded the National Braai Day initiative, which has become synonymous with South Africaās Heritage Day, celebrated annually on September 24th.
With a trip down memory lane, across stunning locations and delicious fare, Jan pays heed to the unifying power of a fire, which captures the warmth and joy of SAās heritage.
or me, the perfect Braai Day celebration is when all South Africans gather with family and friends around a fire, sharing our heritage and waving our flag. Itās about unity and celebrating our shared culture.
Reflecting on past Braai Days, each one is different, and involves braaiing a variety of dishes. From breakfast options like Shakshuka and chicken livers to hand-chopped burgers, peri-peri chicken, and even pizza, each yearās National Braai Day adds to the repertoire. These experiences are distilled into the recipes in my new cookbook, Atmosfire, highlighting the diversity and creativity of braai.
Balancing innovation with tradition in my recipes is a delicate art. Having played a significant role in National Braai Day and built a career around braaiing, Iāve gathered extensive knowledge over time. Iāve authored books, filmed a cooking show, promoted Braai Day, and developed various braai products. My approach to braai involves constant improvement, never settling for conventional wisdom alone. This means integrating new ideas and techniques while respecting the traditional roots of braai.
In Atmosfire, I aimed to blend traditional and unconventional recipes. Each recipe reflects the influences of South Africaās diverse culinary landscape and my personal journey. I allow myself the freedom to make radical changes when needed, such as braaiing snoek with foil or adding soy sauce to a classic basting recipe. This blend of innovation and tradition creates a unique culinary experience.
One recipe that might surprise readers is my preparation of sirloin steak. At first glance, it might seem unconventional, but once you understand the reasoning, it makes perfect sense and could become a standard practice in the braai world.
The title Atmosfire is a play on words, capturing the essence of the atmosphere around a fire ā a fundamental part of South African culture. A fire is a place of warmth, light, food, conversation, and safety. Itās central to Braai Day and embodies the South African spirit.
Over the past 20 years of leading the National Braai Day initiative, Iāve been lucky enough to build fires in some of the most breathtaking spots imaginable. From the
highest point in South Africa at Mafadi Peak in the Drakensberg, to the northernmost tip at Mapungubwe, all the way to Isimangaliso in the east, Agulhas in the south, and Alexander Bay in the west, Iāve enjoyed stunning locations. Iāve braaied in the Pinnacle Point Caves, South Africaās newest World Heritage Site, and at various other world heritage sites globally. From the red dunes of Namibia and Botswanaās Okavango Delta, to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, and tropical beaches in Mozambique and Madagascar, back to SA, and itās lush forests in Knysna, the Drakensberg, and the Lowveld. Yet, the most spectacular spot remains the one on the cover of Atmosfire āat home on my Klein Karoo farm.
Braai Day has significantly contributed to national unity and identity in South Africa, and over the past two decades, has confirmed its importance in our national fabric. Looking ahead, my hope is that Braai Day will evolve into a global celebration, akin to Saint Patrickās Day, where people around the world gather around a fire every year on 24 September to celebrate South Africaās heritage.ā
Atmos re is in stores now. Ook beskikbaar in Afrikaans.
Fillet Steak with Mushroom Sauce
āOvercooking is your greatest risk when braaiing a fillet. Some people like to braai fillet steaks whole and only slice them afterwards, but I prefer to cut the fillet beforehand and braai single medallion portions. This exposes a greater surface area of the meat to the searing heat of the fire, which adds more flavour, something fillet steak needs. The steaks should be cut fairly thick in order to have a nice and juicy medium-rare inside while being completely seared and sealed on the outside. To achieve this, fillet steaks naturally need to be braaied on extremely high heat. Eating fillet steak is not a challenging or complex matter as itās so tender and has no sinew, skin or bones. It is a very comfortable and familiar meal that I like to pair with mushroom sauce. With mushroom sauce you can go to town, but I like an honest, dependable, classic, no-nonsense mushroom sauce with fillet steak. It is as easy to make as it is to braai fillet medallions and itās as familiar and comfortable to eat as the steak weāre serving it with.ā
Make a very big fire. Bigger is in fact better.
Take the steak out of the fridge 30 minutes before the braai so that it can come to room temp. Remove the steak from its packaging, wash it under cold running water and pat dry with kitchen paper. Now use a sharp knife and cut the fillet into four equal portions, which on a 1 kg steak should mean fillet medallions of around 5 cm thick. A fillet medallion works well in the region of 200ā300 g, so if the whole piece of fillet youāve bought is much bigger than 1 kg, make more medallions. Add salt and pepper onto all sides of each steak.
Make the sauce: Chop the onion and mushrooms. Add the butter, onion, mushrooms and salt to a pan and fry until the onions are golden. If the mushrooms release their water during this time, let it cook
FEEDS 4
WHAT YOU NEED
1 kg piece of fillet steak salt and pepper
FOR THE SAUCE
1 onion
1 punnet mushrooms (250 g)
1 tot butter
1 tsp salt
1 tub cream cheese
1 cup fresh cream
1 tot soy sauce
1 tsp black pepper
2 sprigs fresh thyme
off, and if they donāt, then donāt worry, this will happen later.
Add the cream cheese, cream, soy sauce, pepper and sprigs of thyme. Mix well and let this simmer until the sauce is thickened to your liking. Taste and add extra salt and pepper if needed. Set aside, and reheat the sauce just before serving.
Braai the steaks over extremely hot coals for 8ā10 minutes, making sure that all sides of each steak face the coals for at least 1 minute at a time. A 5-cm-thick fillet steak will have at least four but possibly six sides.
Remove from the fire and serve with the mushroom sauce. This can be done in a number of ways, but for me a quite sensible direction to take is to pack the medallions into the pan with the mushroom sauce as it looks good and saves on washing another platter.
AT MY DESK
Richard Osmanās We Solve Murders introduces a trio of detectives: glamorous bodyguard Amy, ex-cop Steve, and bestselling author Rosie. Expect laughter, engaging characters, and a cleverly crafted mystery in this thrilling new adventure.
āHello there! Iām Richard Osman, and Iām absolutely delighted ā thrilled, even ā to introduce you to my latest book, We Solve Murders. If you enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club, I think youāre going to find this new adventure just as captivating. Of course, no guarantees; letās just ease into it and see how it goes.
In this latest tale, we have a dynamic trio of detectives, each distinct and equipped with their own unique abilities. First, meet Amy Wheeler, a bodyguard to billionaires whose life is as glamorous as it sounds, revolving around private jets and luxurious islands. Amy brings a sharp eye and a nononsense attitude to the team.
Then thereās Steve Wheeler, Amyās father-in-law. An ex-cop, Steve is trading his small-town private investigator role for a high-stakes global tour of murder-solving. The catch? Heās going to miss his beloved pub quiz, which heās not exactly thrilled about, but heās ready to dive into this new challenge with gusto.
Lastly, we have Rosie DāAntonio, Amyās current client and one of the worldās bestselling crime authors ā though, admittedly, sheās in a tight competition with Lee Child. Rosie is a delightful mix of sophistication and mischief, with a
If you enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club, I think youāre going to find this new adventure just as captivating
We Solve Murders is out now.
penchant for Martinis and manicures that match her larger-than-life personality.
As you delve into this book, I hope youāll find plenty of laughs, come across characters that warm your heart, and enjoy the process of unravelling a cleverly devised mystery.
And while youāre enjoying the story, Iāll be off doing a bit of research myself āspecifically, how many private jets Lee Child might have.ā
ABOUT THE BOOK
Combining the heart and humour of The Thursday Murder Club with an international mystery, Richard Osmanās new blockbuster series begins. Retired Steve Wheeler enjoys a quiet life with familiar routines, while his daughter-in-law Amy thrives on adrenaline as a private security oļ¬cer. Tasked with protecting a famous author on a remote island, Amyās easy job turns perilous with a dead body, money, and a deadly enemy. She calls for Steveās help, sparking a global chase. A puzzling international mystery, welcome to the blockbusting new series from the biggest new fiction author of the decade.
TOP FICTION September
Safe Enough by Lee Child
The worldās top thriller writer presents twenty pulse-pounding standalone short stories in one collection, each featuring unforgettable characters like assassins, CIA agents, and gangsters. From a drug-dealing hit man to an overlooked rookie cop, these meticulously plotted tales showcase humanity at its best and worst. Complete with an introduction from the author, this collection promises economical prose and unexpected twists only Jack Reacherās creator could deliver.
Lies He Told Me
by James Patterson & David Ellis
When her husband saves a drowning stranger, Marcie Bowers discovers his secret life, putting their family in danger. Celebrated as a hero, Davidās newfound fame threatens to unravel his mysterious past. As a former big-city lawyer, Marcie must uncover the truth to protect their lives. In the small town of Hemingway Grove, everyone knows the Bowers, but Marcie faces the ultimate test of trust and survival. This is a thriller you wonāt want to miss.
Precipice by Robert
Harris
From the bestselling comes a thrilling novel set in Summer 1914. Venetia Stanley, 26, has a love affair with Prime Minister H. H. Asquith. Asquith leads Britain into war, while a young intelligence oļ¬cer investigates a leak of top secret documents, turning their intrigue into a national security crisis that will alter political history. A novel that seamlessly weaves fact and fiction in a way that no writer does better. You wonāt be able to put this one down.
Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson
Welcome to Rook Hall. Ex-detective Jackson Brodie, staving off midlife malaise, is called to a sleepy Yorkshire town for a stolen painting case. This leads to the disappearance of a Turner from Burton Makepeace, now a hotel hosting Murder Mystery weekends. With guests including a vicar and ex-army oļ¬cer, a clever mystery unfolds, paying homage to Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers. Atkinsonās wit and narrative brio shine in Death at the Sign of the Rook
Gabrielās Moon by William
Boyd
In his most exhilarating novel yet, Britainās greatest storyteller takes you from sixties London to the shadows of espionage. Gabriel Dax, haunted by a childhood tragedy, travels as a writer during the Cold War. Offered an interview with a political figure, heās drawn into a web of duplicity. Under the influence of MI6 handler Faith Green, he becomes āher spy,ā facing peril, paranoia, and lifechanging revelations. An adventure story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
TOP FICTION October
Blood Ties by Jo Nesbo
From the bestselling author comes an explosive thriller about family, loyalty, and power. Brothers Carl and Roy Opgard have risen to the top in their small town, managing a spa hotel and planning an amusement park. But Sheriff Kurt Olsen has new evidence linking them to past murders. As he seeks justice, the brothers will stop at nothing to protect their secrets. A gripping tale of ambition and betrayal.
Here One Moment by
Liane Moriarty
All strangers, each with a life heading in a particular direction, encounter an elderly woman who makes a prediction that ties their fates together. They face similar existential dilemmas, questioning if she is a genuine clairvoyant, a charlatan, an answer to prayers, or a harbinger of nightmares. She becomes an agent of chaos, fraying relationships and unraveling the most ordered lives in unexpected ways.
Odyssey by Stephen Fry
The epic final chapter in Fryās retelling of the Greek myths. Troy has fallen, and the Greeks return home. Agamemnon faces his vengeful wife, Clytemnestra, who rages over their daughterās sacrifice. Meanwhile, Odysseus, cursed by Poseidon, endures monsters and gods as he struggles to return to Ithaca and his wife, Penelope. A tale of love and longing, return and redemption, home and hope.
The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave
On a beautiful Californian evening, a wealthy businessman falls to his death from his cliff-top house. Nora and her half-brother Sam suspect foul play and team up to uncover the truth. Their strained relationship is tested as they delve into their elusive fatherās mysterious past, uncovering tangled love affairs and dark family secrets. A gripping mystery filled with passion, intrigue, and deception.
The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins
From the bestselling author of The Girl on the Train comes her most gripping thriller yet. Eris, a remote island with only one house and inhabitant, is isolated from the Scottish mainland for twelve hours daily. Formerly home to the artist Vanessa and her missing husband, Eris is now inhabited by Grace, who enjoys her solitude. But when a startling discovery is made in London, dark secrets of Eris begin to surface.
WHAT IF SHAKESPEARE WAS A WOMAN?
Read an extract from Jodi Picoultās new novel,
By Any Other Name, the story of two women, centuries apart, who defy societal limitations to have their voices heard. Picoult is the acclaimed author of 29 novels with over 40 million copies sold.
Melina, May 2013
āMany years after Melina graduated from Bard College, the course she remembered the most was not a playwriting seminar or a theater intensive but an anthropology class. One day, the professor had flashed a slide of a bone with twenty-nine tiny incisions on one long side. āThe Lebombo bone was found in a cave in Swaziland in the 1970s and is about forty-three thousand years old,ā she had said. āItās made of a baboon fibula. For years, itās been the first calendar attributed to man. But I ask you: what man uses a twenty-nine-day calendar?ā The professor seemed to stare directly at Melina. āHistory,ā she said, āis written by those in power.ā The spring of her senior year, Melina headed to her mentorās oļ¬ce hours, as she did every week. Professor Bufort had, in the eighties, written a play called Wanderlust that won a Drama Desk Award, transferred to Broadway, and was nominated for a Tony. He claimed that heād always wanted to teach, and that when Bard College made him head of the theater program it was a dream come true, but Melina thought it hadnāt hurt that none of his other plays had had the same critical success.
He was standing with his back to her when she knocked and entered. His silver hair fell over his eyes, boyish. āMy favorite thesis student,ā he greeted.
āIām your only thesis student.ā Melina pulled an elastic from her wrist and balled her black hair on top of her head in a loose knot before rummaging in her backpack for two small glass
She was going to be one of the few to make it as a produced playwright.
By Any Other Name is out now.
bottles of chocolate milk from a local dairy. They cost a fortune, but she brought Professor Bufort one each week. High blood pressure medication had robbed him of his previous vices ā alcohol and cigarettes ā and he joked that this was the only fun he got to have anymore. Melina handed him a bottle and clinked hers against it.
āMy savior,ā he said, taking a long drink.
Like most high school kids who had notched productions of The Crucible and A Midsummer Nightās Dream on their belts, Melina had come to Bard assuming that she would study acting. It wasnāt until she took a playwriting course that she realized the only thing mightier than giving a stellar performance was being the person who crafted the words an actor spoke. She started writing one-acts that were performed by student groups. She studied MoliĆØre and Mamet, Marlowe and Miller. She took apart the language and the structure of their plays with the intensity of a grandmaster chess champion whose understanding of the game determined success.
Set somewhere in South Africa (or very close by), there is a story for every one of our countryās children. You just have to read.
WORLD-WEAVING POET
Siphokazi Jonas is a weaver of seemingly discordant worlds. Growing up in an Afrikaans dorpie during the transitional years of a newly democratic South Africa and going on annual holidays to a village made this a necessity. Her work as a spoken word poet often fuses poetry, theatre and film, and she brings this genre-mixing to the pages of Weeping Becomes a River by using the intsomi form to weave the narrative of her poems together.
INSIDE DOBSONVILLE
With Junx, Tshidiso Moletsane delved deep into his own psyche to offer a glimpse into
a world many of us are completely ignorant of. If youāve never been young and anxious in Dobsonville, how are you to know what it is like? Especially on the eve of one of the greatest parties Joburg has ever seen, while you are navigating between places, people and narcotics. The party has only just begun.
NAVIGATING DUAL WORLDS
With a home life thatās culturally very different from his school life, and a disrupted adolescence, thanks to divorce, finances and mental health issues, author Onke Mazibukoās protagonist in The Second Verse is only too recognisable. Part of South Africaās āmissing middleā, Bokang Damane
is not rich enough to enjoy the same luxuries as his peers, yet not poor enough for state interventions. But life goes on and Bokang has no choice but to make the best of life in the East London of 1998.
THE POWER IN A NAME
In Sven Axelradās debut novel Buried Treasure, Mateus, the elderly cemetery keeper, buries bodies in the wrong graves due to poor eyesight. When he stumbles upon Novo, a young homeless girl, he makes her his apprentice, and Novo aims to organise the disoriented ghosts stuck between life and death, all while facing a mysterious threat. With its unique setting, and a town youāll never find on any map of South Africa, Axelradās novel explores identity in a magical and quirky adventure.
RINGING REMEMBRANCE
A Sin of Omission is Marguerite Polandās elegy for a life promised and lost amidst the ringing of bells ā those of the Native College in Grahamstown, the Missionary College in Canterbury, England, and a dilapidated mission near Fort Beaufort in the Eastern Cape. In the second half of the nineteenth century, Stephen Mzamane, a young Anglican priest, must journey to his motherās rural home to inform her of his elder brotherās death. But it is his own life that is caught in the brass echoes.
TOWNSHIP GIRLHOOD
In Fred Khumaloās vibrant coming-of-age tale, Two Tons oā Fun, 14-year-old Lerato Morolong gives the reader a glimpse into
what itās like to be a young girl growing up in a township. Leratoās mother is not the best maternal figure, but thatās ok, as our heroine finds sanctuary at the house of her best friend, Janine, one half of the dancing duo Two Tons oā Fun. As Lerato grows, she uncovers family secrets, her writing talent, and explores her sexuality, all while understanding her motherās tough love.
RECIPE FOR FICTION
A recipe puts together distinct ingredients to create something completely new ā but still recognisable for its parts. When she created the series, Sally Andrew mixed together a place (Ladismith) with a language (English, but spoken the Afrikaans way), a type (a widow whose late husband had a terrible temper), an institution (a small-town newspaper) and a way of coping (sharing recipes). And she has created one of the most instantly recognisable figures in recent South African fiction: Tannie Maria.
LANDSCAPES OF LITERATURE
As the pages of Justin Foxās Place attest, a story is often bound to a place. In the same way, an author is often bound to a place as well. Fox identified nine seminal South Africa authors and visited their landscapes ā and their books. By connecting person and place to a life and stories, many more stories come to the fore, often to shed new light on a book and a place you thought you knew well.
HISTORIC CONNECTIONS
South Africaās past struggles are vast, complex and not limited to geographic borders. In our own struggles, we have learnt from others; maligned people around the world, fighting for their freedom. In How to Be a Revolutionary, author CA Davids plays with the way in which like-minded people find each other ā despite time or border. Because the story is so deeply rooted in South Africa, Davids has the freedom and courage to transcend both space and time, incorporating China and the United States of America in this bold exploration.
VIER MAAL SO LEKKER!
Ons het die skrywers van vier splinternuwe Afrikaanse boeke ān paar vrae gevra.
āBaie mense dra vandag nog geestelike bagasie saamā
Bun Booyens was die stigtersredakteur van die reistydskrif Weg! en redakteur van die dagblad
Die Burger. Hy was ān voetsoldaat tydens diensplig en werk tans as ān vryskutjoernalis.
Wat was die saadjie wat tot Troep aanleiding gegee het?
Die dienspliggenerasie het intense dinge beleef. Die jare stap aan en dit is belangrik om nou so veel as moontlik van hierdie ervaringe op te teken. Ek het probeer om daardie dinge wat elke oud-dienspligtige dadelik sal herken, in een boek saam te vat.
Die boek bring die stemme van baie voormalige dienspligtiges saam. Hoe het jy te werk gegaan om die boek aanmekaar te sit?
Daar is klomp goeie militĆŖre Facebookgroepe en webwerwe en ek het oor die afgelope drie of vier jaar al begin om interessante materiaal eenkant te sit. Verlede jaar het ek mense begin opspoor en op die ou end omtrent 150 mense se stories bymekaargemaak. Party is letterlik net een of twee sinne, ander vyf of ses bladsye lank. Wanneer jy dan ān paar verhale opgeteken het, begin die boek asāt ware die groter storie self aanmekaarsit.
Troep is in Oktober op die rakke.
Daar is al baie geskryf oor die skade wat die Grensoorlog en diensplig jong manne aangerig het. Hoe wyd en diep is hierdie probleem?
Ek het nie die syfers nie, maar baie mense dra vandag nog geestelike bagasie saam omdat hulle destyds nie behoorlike berading ontvang het nie. Sedertdien het hulle ook nie eintlik die kans gekry om met begrip aangehoor te word nie. Ek hoop familielede van ouddienspligtes lees hierdie boek, want dit is nie bloot ān klomp āarmystoriesā nie.
Ek het probeer om iets oor die realiteit van destyds vas te lĆŖ. Hopelik help dit mense om te verstaan hoekom hul huweliksmaats en paās is soos hulle is.
Dink jy daar is plek vir verpligte diensplig van ān aard in Suid-Afrika vandag?
Dalk eerder ān jaar van gemeenskapswerk?
As almal van ons vir ān jaar, sĆŖ maar, gaan help om die paaie en spoorlyne reg te maak?
āDie stiltes tussen die lyne fassineer myā
Erla-Mari Diedericks is al meer as 30 jaar ān verslaggewer en het talle titels op haar kerfstok, insluitend die spanningsverhale, Dominique, Die bewonderaar en Salemstraat
Wat is die saadjie wat aanleiding tot Swyg gegee het?
Praat bietjie oor die titel ā swyg, stilbly, nie iets sĆŖ nie?
Die boek gaan oor mense wat een aand iets beleef het en mekaar tot stilswye gesweer
het ā met verreikende gevolge jare later. Daar is ook die bekende Donkermann-familie wat swyg oor al hul donker geheime en ān vrou wat sit in ān inrigting en nie die waarheid kan vertel oor wat daardie aand gebeur het nie weens geheueverlies. Maar wat as haar geheue terugkom ā en hoe lank kan mens geheime bewaar...?
Waar in die menslike psige het jou navorsing vir hierdie boek jou geneem?
Die mens se donker kant fassineer my altyd. Hierdie boek fokus op selfdood, die sondes
āEk sien half meer kans vir treinpatrollie ā¦ā
Martin Steyn, skrywer van ondermeer Donker spoor, Skuldig, Swartval en Losprys, het ān voorliefde vir die makabere, en ān belangstelling in kriminologie en reeksmoordenaars.
Wat is die saadjie wat tot Donker water gelei het?
Dit het met Swartval begin. Die oorspronklike weergawe was baie anders en het ook ān polisieondersoek ingesluit. As deel van die soektog na Claire het ek met ān polisieduiker gaan praat. Dit was reeds ān baie interessante onderhoud, maar toe hy vir my die toerusting in die stoor gaan wys, en die ander duikers bykom en begin om hulle stories uit te pak, het ek net geweet ek gaan moet terugkom en ān boek oor hulle skryf.
Is jy ān duiker?
Nee, ek is nie ān duiker nie. Ek het jare terug ān paar keer saam met iemand by Pringlebaai gaan duik. Dit was toe kreefseisoen nog lank aangehou het en jy net ān paar meter moes ingaan voor jy die perlemoen sien. Ons moes beurte maak met sy duikpak en in die praktyk het hy die kreef, perlemoen en alikreukels uitgeduik en ek het op die oppervlak tussen die rotse gesnorkel en net gekyk hoe als lyk, wat ān ongelooflike ervaring was.
Ek het net geweet ek gaan moet terugkom en oor hulle skryf.
van die voorgeslag, pedofilie en wat sal gebeur as die regte dwelms op die verkeerde tyd jou geestestoestand vir altyd aantas en psigose veroorsaak.
Jy gee die leser ān kykie in die uitgewersbedryf. Vind jy dat die egoās inderdaad groter en geheues langer is?
Ek bied ook ān kykie in die akademiese wĆŖreld en die karakters ā Didi Donkermann is geinpsireer deur dosente en redakteurs waarmee my pad al gekruis het. Die skrywer Louis Donkermann, is geskoei op ān
Donker water is nou beskikbaar.
Jy skram nie weg van die swaar in die lewe nie. Maar daar is ook mooi en lig in Alex Steytler en sy kollega Pyper se lewens, of hoe?
Ja, daar is baie humor ook. Ek het Steytler en Pyper se interaksie baie geniet om te skryf. Hulle is anders, maar dit het my nogal laat dink aan Mags en Menck in Donker spoor. Party van die ouer duikers kan soms baie droog wees en ek waardeer nogal ān droĆ« opmerking.
NĆ” die skryf van Donker water, wat kies jy: Spoorwegpolisie of Duikeenheid?
Dis moeilik. Ek het ān spesiale plekkie in my hart vir die duikeenheid. Wat hulle doen, fassineer my, maar ek dink nie dis vir my nie. Ek sien half meer kans vir treinpatrollie, maar dis ook nie iets wat ek wil doen nie. Nee, my plek in die polisie sou eerder by forensies gewees het, toneelontleding, bloedspatsels, ballistiek dalk. Ek het ān goeie skeut OCD weg, ek is goed met details, noukeurig, meet ān ding drie keer voordat ek saag of boor ... my persoonlikheid pas baie beter by forensiese werk.
kombinasie van narsistiese karakters wat ek ontmoet het in die joernalistieke wĆŖreld.
Lesers het al tevore vir dr Ann Marais ontmoet. Wie is sy en waarom het jy haar terug gebring?
Dr Ann Marais is ān forensiese psigiater wat in my vorige boeke by Molenberg Psigiatriese Staatshospitaal verbonde was en sedertdien bedank het. Ek hou daarvan om ān pad saam met my lesers te stap en baie lesers was mal oor hierdie uiters eksentrieke karakter, so sy is in al my boeke.
Swyg is in Oktober op die rakke.
āEk moes leer om die lig op die regte plekke in my lewe te laat skynā
Ilse Verster se eerste boek, So lyk ān vrou, het in 2022 by Lapa verskyn. Sy skryf ook kortverhale en artikels.
Jou eerste boek, So lyk ān vrou, is baie goed ontvang en daar is wyd gevra vir ān (gelukkiger?) opvolg. Wanneer het jy besluit om dit te doen en ān tweede boek te skryf?
Die reaksie op So lyk ān vrou het my totaal onverhoeds gevang. Vanaf vrystelling het mense my gekontak met vrae oor hoe om so ān situasie te hanteer, baie wou meer weet oor narsisme en hoe om te ontsnap. Die opvolg was ān natuurlike uitvloeisel.
Die inhoud van albei boeke sny na aan die been. Hoe herbesoek ān mens wat gebeur het sonder om elke keer van voor te moet begin wat verwerking betref?
Elke herbesoek is traumaties. Ek moes reeds met So lyk ān vrou emosionele bestuur aanleer.
Tog was die skryf ook terapeuties en het my baie gehelp om die lig op die regte plekke in my lewe te laat skyn eerder as om die verlede toe te laat om my nuwe lewe te infiltreer.
Geslagsgebaseerde geweld is hemelhoog in Suid-Afrika. Daar word dikwels gesĆŖ
Die meeste slagoļ¬ers is uitgelewer aan verwerpling
ān Vrou staan op is nou op die rakke.
die oorsaak is afwesige vaderļ¬gure ā stem jy saam of meen jy dit lĆŖ elders? Beslis, afwesige vaderfigure skep die perfekte slagoffers en aan die ander kant ook mense wat geweld gebruik om hulself te laat geld. Die meeste slagoffers is uitgelewer aan verwerping of ouers wat nie opgewasse is vir die rol van ouerskap nie. Tog is daar baie ander oorsake van die tipe van geweld.
Het vroue ān rol te speel by die beĆ«indiging van geweld teen vroue? Of is dit die mans wat moet opstaan?
Albei geslagte moet opstaan. Mans is net soveel slagoffers as vroue. Hoewel vroue meer bewus is van hul regte en moderne vroue selfhandhawend begin optree, is dit noodsaaklik dat mense bewus moet wees van die tekens van narsisme en ander manupilerende gedragsafwykings. Dit kan tragedies voorkom. Beter beskerming, strenger wetgewing en meer veiligheidshuise is ān dringende behoefte. Die ontstaan van die Wet op Gesinsgeweld het baie deure oop gemaak.
SWIMMING THE MAINSTREAM WITH FRESHWATER FISHES
With characteristic enthusiasm, Paul Skelton, Emeritus Professor of Ichthyology at Rhodes University, shares his unexpected journey into the world of freshwater fishes.
āTo say I ābumbled into freshwater fishesā is an understatement. I hardly knew they existed until I came to Rhodes and met Rex Jubb in the tearoom of the Zoology Department when doing my honours degree. Rex was āold schoolā ā a retired meteorologist and a gentleman, a devoted and highly skilled naturalist who had then recently been honoured by Rhodes with an Honorary Doctorate for his contributions to freshwater fishes. He was the doyen of freshwater ichthyologists and had stamped his legacy with his landmark book, The Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa. I bought a copy with my student prize at the end of the year (it cost a whopping R12.50). Following that introduction, I continued my post-graduate studies at Rhodes but running out of funds after the first year and with Rexās encouragement applied for, and was offered, the job of Curator of Freshwater Fishes at the Albany Museum, starting in January 1972. The rest, they say, is history.
Gamtoos Redfins
1 Fish fences for setting traps
2 Southern rainbow killifish
3 Snorkeler
4 School of ghieliemientjies
5 Clanwilliam sawfin
6 Bluegill sunfish
7 Cape kurper
I knew from the moment I walked into the Albany Museum that this was what I wanted to do. I had been fond of nature all my life, from visiting the Kruger Park with family to the galleries of the Transvaal Museum where I could get up close to creatures great and small. My job entailed curating the freshwater fishes and all the vertebrate collections in the museum and dealing with the public when specimens were brought in for identification or as curiosities from the district. In the early years I worked hand in hand with nature conservation in the Cape and elsewhere in southern Africa. The time I spent in the field was simply the best life one could imagine, and as a budding taxonomist, by far the best way to get to know the beauty and diversity of our fishes.
I was determined to study further and on Rex Jubbās advice initiated an MSc, later upgraded to a PhD, on the redfin minnows from the Cape Fold Mountains. I approached Margaret Smith the Director of the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology, to do this through
I knew from the moment I walked into the Albany Museum that this was what I wanted to do.
the Institute ā and thus became the first in a long line of post-graduates to study fishes in that fertile channel. I was fortunate to have young dynamic supervisors ripe from the USA to guide me in systematics and taxonomy. My final supervisor was Prof Mike Bruton, now well known for his prolific production of books on a variety of subjects, who became the Director of the Institute after Margaret Smith. The 1970s was an exciting time for systematic science as a major philosophical revolution was in progress ā this introduced cladistics philosophy where organism relationships are based on a clear derived characteristics rather than just similarity. So my thesis was possibly the first in southern Africa to embrace this new philosophy and open the door for a more far-reaching understanding of the phylogenetic and biogeographic nature of our fauna. You can see the results of this revolution written all over my book. Looking back on my career, one can see reflected a clear dichotomy of interest ā systematic science on the one side, and
conservation on the other. I had no choice but to engage with the conservation crisis that was and still is facing our freshwater fishes as I got into the field. At that time the conservation crisis was just emerging. Indeed when Rex suggested I investigate the redfins it was because he had found that they were disappearing from the waters of the Fold Mountains and, in places, were already exterminated. So I provided an initial conservation assessment of freshwater fishes in the 1970s in the form of a Red Data Book, and followed this up with a substantial account in the 1980s. Those assessments were the foundation that has since been updated by teams of researchers across the landscape. Sad to say, the situation continues to be critical in many areas as the human population has exploded and demand for water resources increased. It is none-the-less very gratifying to see the sustained commitment of individuals and public and private agencies actively promoting conservation of freshwaters in Southern Africa.
out now.
There are two other standouts that I have in looking back on a long career in aquatic science in South Africa. The one is the vast swing for scientists to engage with the public education of science. It is one reason why I consider a book like mine to be among the most significant products of my life. There is real joy and pleasure seeing the latest scientific knowledge being transformed into public content in such a dynamic and beautiful way. Struik Nature is a superb partner to do this effectively.
The second standout is witnessing the enthusiasm and energy that the new generations are engaging with scientific endeavours in nature and the environment. They are the future and we need informed and educated people to ensure a future for ourselves and the planet and its precious life. The quality of experience and of the work that is emerging from our universities and institutes is growing all the time. A book like mine serves, I hope, as inspiration for these young people, and that is no trivial thing.ā
Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa is
MARINE & FRESHWATER GUIDES
Living Shores by George
Branch
and Margo Branch
First published in 1981, Living Shores became a key reference for marine science students and nature enthusiasts for its insights into marine habitats. This first of two volumes explores marine ecosystems and human interactions, covering coastal ecology, the impact of climate change, and environmental protection, all illustrated with photos, diagrams, and graphs.
A Pocket Guide to Sharks of the World by David A. Ebert, Marc Dando and Sarah Fowler
Sharks are highly misunderstood and critically threatened with extinction, needing urgent conservation. This guide is the only one of its kind to identify and describe every known shark species, including new species and lavish images. It also features sections on identifying shark teeth and fins, and explores shark biology, ecology, and conservation.
Fishes of the Okavango Delta & Chobe River, Botswana by Glenn Merron, Mike Bruton and Paul Skelton
This comprehensive guide details diverse aquatic habitats, fish feeding, breeding, and survival strategies. It includes species entries with key ID points, habits, and occurrence, accompanied by colour illustrations or photos. Essential for fishermen, naturalists, conservationists, and tourists, it concludes with conservation tips for the regionās fishes.
Marine Mammals by Chris and Mathilde Stuart
This easy-to-use identification guide to the whales, dolphins and seals found in Southern African waters and the Southern Ocean is compact yet comprehensive. Close to 50 species occur in the region: from the demonstrative Humpback Whale and Dusky Dolphin to the striking Leopard Seal and massive Blue Whale. This book covers key identification features, explains common behaviours, and so much more.
Freshwater Life by Charles Griļ¬ths, Jenny Day & Mike Picker
A groundbreaking illustrated field guide for southern Africa, detailing over 1,000 freshwater organisms from large vertebrates to microscopic taxa. It includes species likely to be encountered, with photos and distribution maps. A comprehensive introduction covers freshwater ecology. This indispensable guide is invaluable for outdoor enthusiasts, students, and conservationists.
THE POWER OF PERSPECTIVE
In a world where weāre quick to give labels to those around us, Thomas Eriksonās Surrounded by series serves as an invaluable guide for navigating complex social landscapes by o ering a refreshing perspective on human behaviour.
āThe most important lesson that you can walk away with is that the idiots who surround you are, in fact, not idiots at all. Instead, they are individuals worthy of respect, understanding, and being valued.ā
ā Surrounded by Idiots
āIf you donāt think that anybody can love you, terrible as you are, then youāll be willing to invite in anybody who shows you the slightest appreciation.ā
ā Surrounded by Psychopaths
When the recipient has filtered the message though their frame of reference, prejudices, and experiences, what remains is what they understand. Regardless of what you actually meant.ā
ā Surrounded by Psychopaths
āThe boss is the person I must follow, and the leader is the person I want to follow.ā
ā Surrounded by Bad Bosses
Surrounded by Liars hits shelves in October.
āJust as we keep the weeds away from the garden to provide space and amazing flowers, we all need to find an approach to our adversity. And give us the chance to turn everything into success.ā
ā Surrounded by Setbacks
āTrust your gut instincts. If something feels wrong, chances are it is wrong. Thereās no need to apologise for your feelings in a situation like this. You have the right to do whatever you need to do to protect yourself.ā
ā Surrounded by Narcissists
āEnergy vampires can rob you of your enthusiasm without the slightest eļ¬ort.ā
ā Surrounded by Vampires
āYou have most probably run into this person: an exciting human being who is incredibly charismatic, nice, charming and helpful. Who always has a compliment up his/her sleeve. And who will be guaranteed to make you feel good.ā
āIn the most health-obsessed society ever, all is not well.
Health and wellness have become a modern fixation. Multibillion-dollar industries bank on peopleās ongoing investment ā mental and emotional, not to mention financial ā in endless quests to eat better, look younger, live longer, or feel livelier, or simply to suffer fewer symptoms. We encounter would be bombshells of ābreaking health newsā on magazine covers, in TV news stories, omnipresent advertising, and the daily deluge of viral online content, all pushing this or that mode of self-betterment. We do our best to keep up: we take supplements, join yoga studios, serially switch diets, shell out for genetic testing, strategise to prevent cancer or dementia, and seek medical advice or alternative therapies for maladies of the body, psyche, and soul.
And yet our collective health is deteriorating.
What is happening? How are we to understand that in our modern world, at the pinnacle of medical ingenuity and sophistication, we are seeing more and more chronic physical disease as well as aļ¬ictions such as mental illness and addiction? Moreover, how is it that weāre not more alarmed, if we notice at all? And how are we to find our way to preventing and healing the many ailments that assail us, even putting aside acute catastrophes such as the COVID-19 pandemic?
As a physician for over three decades, in work ranging from delivering infants to running a palliative care ward, I was always struck by the links between the individual and the social and emotional contexts in which our lives unfold and health or illness ensue. This curiosity, or should I say fascination, led me in time to look deeply into the cuttingedge science that has elegantly delineated such links. My previous books have explored some of these connections as they manifest in particular ailments such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cancer and
Something
is amiss in our culture.
autoimmune disease of all types, and addiction. I have also written about child development, the most decisively formative period of our lives.
The Myth of Normal, sets its sights on something far more encompassing. I have come to believe that behind the entire epidemic of chronic aļ¬ictions, mental and physical, that beset our current moment, something is amiss in our culture itself, generating both the rash of ailments we are suffering and, crucially, the ideological blind spots that keep us from seeing our predicament clearly, the better to do something about it. These blind spots āprevalent throughout the culture but endemic to a tragic extent in my own profession ā keep us ignorant of the connections that bind our health to our social-emotional lives.
Another way of saying it: chronic illness ā mental or physical ā is to a large extent a function or feature of the way things are and not a glitch; a consequence of how we live, not a mysterious aberration.
The phrase āa toxic cultureā in this bookās subtitle may suggest things like environmental pollutants, so prevalent since the dawn of the industrial age and so antagonistic to human health. From asbestos particles to carbon dioxide run amok, there is indeed no shortage of real, physical toxins in our midst. We could also understand ātoxicā in its more contemporary, pop-psychological sense, as in the spread of negativity, distrust, hostility, and polarisation that, no question, typify the present sociopolitical moment.
We can certainly fold these two meanings into our discussion, but I am using ātoxic cultureā to characterise something even broader and more deeply rooted: the entire context of social structures, belief systems, assumptions, and values that surround us and necessarily pervade every aspect of our lives.ā
Louise Hayās bestselling book has transformed millions of lives by revealing the profound impact of the mind on health. This inspirational self-help guide explores how limiting thoughts control us and offers strategies for self-healing and lasting change.
Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King
How can you learn to truly love yourself? How can you transform negative emotions into positive ones? Is it possible to find lasting happiness? In this book, Instagram guru Vex King answers these questions and more.
Quiet by Susan Cain
In Quiet, Susan Cain shows how the brain chemistry of introverts and extroverts differs, and how society misunderstands and undervalues introverts. She gives introverts the tools to better understand themselves and take full advantage of their strengths.
The No 1 SundaybestsellingTimes non-ļ¬ction book of 2021
Truss
ā...the most important book published for a decade.ā ā Lynne
The physics of vulnerability is simple: If we are brave enough often enough, we will fall. This is a book about what it takes to get back up and how owning our stories of disappointment, failure, and heartbreak gives us the power to write a daring new ending.
The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz
First published in 1959, David J Schwartzās classic teachings are as powerful today as they were then. Practical, empowering and hugely engaging, this book shows that the key to success is the way you think.
The Ted Talk phenomenon
ONE-PAN PERFECTION
Simplify your dinner routine with these flavourful one-pan dishes that require minimal eļ¬ort and cleanup. With everything cooking in one pan, youāll spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal.
Puttanesca-style salmon bake
āIf you make the tomato anchovy oil a day ahead here, you can then delight in the fact that a midweek supper can be on the table within 20 minutes. The fuss-free cooking method ā all hail the traybake! ā plus the dialled-up flavours ā all hail puttanesca! ā makes such a winning combination.ā
Place the beans, spring onions and tomatoes on a large, parchmentlined baking tray. Drizzle over 3 tablespoons of the tomato anchovy
oil, along with Ā¼ teaspoon of salt and a good grind of pepper. Toss to combine and place in the oven for 12ā13 minutes, until the beans and tomatoes are starting to soften and taking on a little colour. Meanwhile, arrange the salmon fillets on a plate and, using a spoon, drizzle the remaining tomato anchovy oil (as well as all the solids) evenly over the fillets. Once the beans and tomatoes have had their time in the oven, nestle the salmon fillets among them and bake for a further 8 minutes. Set aside for 5 minutes, out of the oven, to rest.
While the salmon is baking, mix all the ingredients for the salsa in a small bowl and season with a good grind of pepper. Spoon half the salsa over the salmon and serve the fish warm (or at room temperature, which works just as well), with the rest of the salsa in a bowl on the side.
Ottolenghi COMFORT is out now.
Warming Aubergine, Spinach & Coconut Dhal
āIf there is only one dhal recipe you cook from this book, let it be this one!ā
2 large aubergines, cut into cubes
3 Tbsp olive oil, divided
1 red onion, finely chopped
1 Tbsp ginger paste
1 tsp garlic paste
1 tsp mixed mustard seeds
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garam masala
10 curry leaves (dried or fresh)
Ā½ tsp Maldon salt
Ā¼ tsp turmeric (ground or paste)
1 x 400ml tin chopped tomatoes
1 x 400ml tin coconut cream, plus extra, to serve (optional)
150g red lentils
200g baby spinach, torn
45g coriander, torn, plus extra to garnish
Lemon juice, to taste
Preheat the oven to 180Ā°C. Toss the aubergines in 1 Tbsp olive oil to coat, then place in a roasting dish. Roast for 10ā15 minutes, until golden.
While the aubergines are roasting, heat the remaining oil in a large pan and add the onion. Cook for 5 minutes over low heat until soft and caramelised. Stir in the ginger and garlic, and cook for 1 minute. Add the mustard seeds, cumin, garam masala, curry leaves, salt and turmeric, and stir until the mustard seeds pop.
Add the tomatoes, coconut cream and lentils, and stir. Cook for 15ā20 minutes, until the lentils are tender.
SERVES 4
TOTAL TIME 45 minutes
Add the roasted aubergines and cook for 5 more minutes. Turn off the heat, then stir in the spinach and coriander.
Serve with rice and squeeze of lemon juice, to taste. Drizzle with extra coconut cream, if desired.
Crack the eggs into the wells, season with salt and pepper, then cover the pan with a lid. Cook for 5ā8 minutes, depending on how you like your eggs. Serve with toast.
The Hungry Penguin is your go-to for mouth-watering recipes for every taste ā from celebratory starters to divine desserts, meaty to meat-free and budget-friendly to overthe-top ā from Penguin's expert cookbook authors. Follow us on Instagram @thehungrypenguin_sa
The Hungry Table is in stores now.
Mushrooms on Rice with Olives, Chilli, Basil, Feta & Harissa
āThis delightfully delicious vegetarian dish is perfect as a main, or as a side. Made and served all in the same pan, mushrooms will never taste this good any other way.ā
Place the onion and garlic in a large shallow ovenproof casserole dish over a medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon of oil, the cumin seeds, chilli flakes and a splash of water. Cook for 5 minutes, or until softened, stirring regularly. Stir in the rice, add the salt and stock and bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Lightly score a criss-cross pattern into the stem side of each
mushroom and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt. Loosen the harissa with a drop of water, then spread it over each scored mushroom. Lay the mushrooms on the rice, harissa side up. Mix the olives, tomatoes and feta together and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Top the mushrooms with the mixture and sprinkle some of it around them.
Bake covered for 30 minutes, or until the rice is cooked, the liquid has been absorbed and the mushrooms are soft. Take the lid off and bake uncovered for 10 minutes until the feta is golden.
To serve, spoon over the lemon zest, chopped basil and yoghurt.
Pear & Gorgonzola Squares
āWow your guests with these yummy pear and gorgonzola squares. They make perfect appetisers.ā
2ā3 ripe, but firm, pears
1 x 250g square sheet puļ¬ pastry
Ā½ cup cream cheese
Ā½ cup gorgonzola
Ā¼ cup chopped pecans
Honey, to drizzle
Fresh rosemary
Olive oil, to drizzle
Preheat the oven to 200Ā°C.
Thinly slice the pears lengthwise using a knife or a mandolin, then cut each slice in half. Roll the sheet of puff pastry flat. Spread the cream cheese over the pastry, arrange the pears on top, and crumble over the gorgonzola. Sprinkle with the nuts and rosemary and drizzle with honey, then bake for 15ā20 minutes.
Cut into squares and serve warm with fresh rosemary and a drizzle of honey and olive oil.
The Table hits shelves in October.
āIthought I knew the pain cave ā¦ even visited it a few times. As enthusiastic amateur cyclists, my mates and I would often talk about those times weād wandered miserably through its dank recesses. If youāre unfamiliar with the term, itās a metaphorical place of physical pain and mental anguish that participating in endurance sports can sometimes route you through.
Usually youāre there paying the price of over-fuelled ambition and under-prepped training. Having bitten off more than you can chew, it requires digging extra deep and suffering through anything from cramp to nausea in order to finish whatever adventure had promised so much fun only hours earlier.
The thing about the pain cave though, is that only survivors talk about it. If it had all gotten too much and youād dropped out of the race, then, well, you might mumble something about āhaving a bad dayā, or something equally vague that weād all know is code for āplease donāt ask me any more questionsā.
If, on the other hand, you managed to guts it out and make it to the finish, then experiences in the pain cave are shared with pride and acknowledged with nods of approval from other cave dwellers. And ours were real tales of endurance ā¦ weād done everything from mountain bike races like the Cape Epic, to 180km+ one-day races on gravel bikes, and adventures through the Lesotho highlands. There was proper suffering involved, paying our dues in the cave before finally emerging battlescarred but triumphant. A testament to the human spirit in the face of crushing physical and mental fatigue. Or so we thought.
Then I met Ryan Sandes ā¦ and realised the cave Iād been frequenting was more like the Spa and Health Resort Cave. Having first connected with this ultra-distance trail runner in 2016
ON MY MIND
THE PAIN CAVE
A
place of suļ¬ering and misery, The Pain Cave is a place author and magazine editor Steve Smith was familiar with. Turns out this amateur endurance sports enthusiast had no idea.
These guys literally ran across, and around, whole countries.
Run. Risk. Reward. is on shelves now.
we embarked on our first book together called Trail Blazer. It chronicled Ryanās remarkable rise to international fame when in 2008, out of nowhere, the unheralded South African won a gruelling six-day race across Chinaās Gobi desert. Heād become the first person to win all four races in this 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series, including one in Antartica. Then, switching his attention to single day ultra-distance trail races, heād win several high-profile events, including the Leadville 100 and, most prestigious of all, the Western States Endurance Run.
Sitting and listening to him describe what he went through to win those races was both fascinating and severely disheartening. You could pretty much hear the gentle hiss of my ego deflate as heād humbly described exploits overcoming brain-broiling heat, extreme cold, and the kind of bone-deep fatigue that reduces your cognitive ability to a narrow band of onefoot-in-front-of-the-other. Frankly, it made my heroic exploits in conquering adversity look like a day spent lounging about the hotel pool.
And then it got worse. Weāve just done a second book. Among other things, Run. Risk. Reward. chronicles Ryan and running partner Ryno Griesselās exploits traversing the Himalayas and then, the circumference of Lesotho. These guys literally ran across, and around, whole countries. Alongside the extreme endurance ā like running 1 500km across Nepal in 24 consecutive days ā they found themselves in actual life and death situations. From desperately trying to find shelter in the middle of the night in the worldās highest mountains, to fending off an attack by herdsman in the Lesotho highlands, they were not only in The Actual Pain Cave, but had booked in long-term.
The Actual Pain Cave has gallery seating for guests. It serves beer and snacks. Book your seat.ā
