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Book Review: Tjieng Tjang Tjerries & Other Stories by Jolyn Phillips

Set in and around the small coastal town of Gansbaai in the Western Cape, Tjieng Tjang Tjerries & Other Stories is a beautifully written anthology written by a proudly South African local. Filled with Afrikaans taal, colloquialisms and customs, author Jolyn Phillips expertly gives a voice to a unique and vibrant community of people who have long been absent in literature.

She shines a light on the complexities of family life, on the way in which people deal with pain and grief, and on the harsh realities that many South Africans face, which will make you stop and think twice before judging someone on their appearance alone. Familiar, impactful and, at times, heartbreaking, this is a powerful must-read.

Tjieng Tjang Tjerries & Other Stories by Jolyn Phillips is available for R165, Modjaji Books.

Searching for another good read? Take a look at a few of our top picks, here

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