Fool’s Gold
Various authors
Compiled by Arja Salafranca
An anthology of selected short stories, to celebrate 12 years of publishing short stories. All of the stories were previously published by Modjaji Books.
R300.00
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Fool’s Gold
An anthology of selected short stories, all of which were previously published in an individual writer’s collection or in either Stray or The Bed Book of Short Stories published by Modjaji Books. The authors include Sarah Lotz (internationally best selling author), Lauri Kubuitsile, Makhosazana Xaba, Meg Vandermerwe, Arja Salafranca, Wame Molefhe, Jolyn Phillips, Melissa de Villiers, Sandra Hill, Reneilwe Malatji, Jayne Bauling, Jo-Ann Bekker, Julia Martin, Isabella Morris, Alex Smith and Colleen Higgs. Several of the authors went on to win awards for their collections, see below, and one of the stories was shortlisted for the Caine Prize. Modjaji has a proud history of publishing debut short story collections that are successful in literary and sales terms. There are few other publishers who take the risk of publishing debut short story collections.
Sarah Lotz, Lauri Kubuitsile, Makhosazana Xaba, Meg Vandermerwe, Arja Salafranca, Wame Molefhe, Jolyn Phillips, Melissa de Villiers, Sandra Hill, Reneilwe Malatji, Jayne Bauling, Jo-Ann Bekker, Julia Martin, Isabella Morris, Alex Smith and Colleen Higgs.
Read an excerpt published in The Johannesburg Review of Books
“Fool’s Gold draws together works from each of the dozen collections and anthologies of short stories that Modjaji has published. In doing so, the collection highlights the power of the form: what editor Arja Salafranca describes as “both paragraph and love affair, […] these varied pieces hold up a mirror to our lives and the places we live in” (11). Distinguished by their diverse themes, structures, and voices, the short stories of Fool’s Gold are bound together by their concern for women’s experiences. They take pleasure in the small moments that magnify the spectacular, drawing light to life’s neglected corners.” Susanna Sacks, Africa in Words
“Each of the excellent short stories in this well-curated collection offers a brief window into the life of South African women. Some are poignantly sad, highlighting poverty, Aids orphans, patriarchy and social problems, while others offer light relief. […] While some are harrowing, every story is wonderful.” Gabriella Bekes, Times Live
Named a “must-read fiction books by SA female authors” by The South African
