About the book
Sindiwe Magona's novel Mother to Mother explores the South African legacy of apartheid through the lens of a woman who remembers a life marked by oppression and injustice. Magona decided to write this novel when she discovered that Fulbright Scholar Amy Biehl, who had been killed while working to organize the nation's first ever democratic elections in 1993, died just a few yards away from her own permanent residence in Guguletu, Capetown. She then learned that one of the boys held responsible for the killing was in fact her neighbor's son. Magona began to imagine how easily it might have been her own son caught up in the wave of violence that day. The book is based on this real-life incident, and takes the form of an epistle to Amy Biehl's mother. The murderer's mother, Mandisi, writes about her life, the life of her child, and the colonized society that not only allowed, but perpetuated violence against women and impoverished black South Africans under the reign of apartheid. The result is not an apology for the murder, but a beautifully written exploration of the society that bred such violence.
Editions of Mother to Mother
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807009499
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807007129
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807008577
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807009970
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780807094839
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780807095041
Read an Excerpt
Sindiwe Magona's novel Mother to Mother explores the South African legacy of apartheid through the lens of a woman who remembers a life marked by oppression and injustice. Magona decided to write this novel when she discovered that Fulbright Scholar Amy Biehl, who had been killed while working to organize the nation's first ever democratic elections in 1993, died just a few yards away from her own permanent residence in Guguletu, Capetown. She then learned that one of the boys held responsible for the killing was in fact her neighbor's son. Magona began to imagine how easily it might have been her own son caught up in the wave of violence that day. The book is based on this real-life incident, and takes the form of an epistle to Amy Biehl's mother. The murderer's mother, Mandisi, writes about her life, the life of her child, and the colonized society that not only allowed, but perpetuated violence against women and impoverished black South Africans under the reign of apartheid. The result is not an apology for the murder, but a beautifully written exploration of the society that bred such violence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mother to Mother about?
Sindiwe Magona's novel Mother to Mother explores the South African legacy of apartheid through the lens of a woman who remembers a life marked by oppression and injustice. Magona decided to write this novel when she discovered that Fulbright Scholar Amy Biehl, who had been killed while working to organize the nation's first ever democratic elections in 1993, died just a few yards away from her own permanent residence in Guguletu, Capetown. She then learned that one of the boys held responsible for the killing was in fact her neighbor's son. Magona began to imagine how easily it might have been her own son caught up in the wave of violence that day. The book is based on this real-life incident, and takes the form of an epistle to Amy Biehl's mother. The murderer's mother, Mandisi, writes about her life, the life of her child, and the colonized society that not only allowed, but perpetuated violence against women and impoverished black South Africans under the reign of apartheid. The result is not an apology for the murder, but a beautifully written exploration of the society that bred such violence.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Mother to Mother?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre
Where can I read a sample of Mother to Mother?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807009499
Is Mother to Mother part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Bluestreak
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Mother to Mother?
Sindiwe Magona
Who is the Publisher of the book Mother to Mother?
Beacon Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Mother to Mother is available as paperback(ISBN 9780807009499) and paperback(ISBN 9780807007129) and ebook(ISBN 9780807008577) and ebook(ISBN 9780807009970) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780807094839) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780807095041)
Where can I buy Mother to Mother online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Mother to Mother from below
Where can I buy Mother to Mother?