The Punishment Chair
Publisher: Atlas Contact
Subtle psychology, layered, convincing and empathetic
Ada’s life has come to a standstill. At the invitation of her friend Mel, she returns to the place of her childhood, the Bloukoeniekraal farm on a river in South Africa. There she must turn her past into a bearable story. The natural surroundings are breathtakingly beautiful. But she also hears the voice of her tyrannical father, who humiliated and abused his wife and son, and his ragged breathing when he visited his little daughter at night. Apartheid is in its final days; while the black housekeeper Jana is powerless against her boss, her niece Lies rebels.
Tensions rise between Ada and Mel, both damaged in their own way. The river embraces and comforts, but can Ada continue to live with her horrific past?
Praise:
‘A powerful story, narrated with finesse, empathy and astonishing courage.’ – Antjie Krog on Bringing Back the Heart
‘We can best explore the deep history of a society through first-hand testimonies of personal experience. Bringing Back the Heart allows us privileged insight into life as it is and has been in the South Africa of our times. … I hope that Bringing Back the Heart comes out in other languages before too long.’ – J.M. Coetzee on Bringing Back the Heart
