*Playing in the Light* by Zoë Wicomb is a nuanced, introspective novel set in 1990s Cape Town, exploring themes of identity, race, and post-apartheid South Africa. The story centers on Marion Campbell, a woman who runs a travel agency but feels disconnected from the very act of travel, symbolizing her broader sense of detachment from both her country's history and her personal past.

Marion's life is shaped by a complex relationship with Brenda, her first black employee, in a society still grappling with the legacies of apartheid. The novel delves into the everyday, often unacknowledged forms of racism that persist in this newly democratic South Africa—racism that manifests in denial, habit, fear, and ignorance. Marion's personal journey is interwoven with the larger social and political shifts occurring around her.

The catalyst for Marion's self-examination is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which uncovers troubling secrets about her family's past, forcing her to confront uncomfortable truths about her own identity. This revelation shatters her sense of self and challenges her position in the contemporary social landscape of South Africa. Marion is compelled to reconsider her place in the world, not just as a product of her family's history, but also in the context of a nation still healing from its apartheid legacy.

Wicomb's novel is praised for its psychological depth and stylistic nuance, offering a powerful meditation on the intersection of personal and national histories. *Playing in the Light* is both an exploration of individual self-awareness and a critical examination of the broader societal forces that shape identity, making it a compelling work that captures the complexities of post-apartheid life without offering easy answers.

 

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ The New Press (January 30, 2008)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 218 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1595582215
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1595582218
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.49 x 0.67 x 7.91 inches
• Condition: Used- Very Good

 

Cultural Heritage Fiction, Contemporary Literature & Fiction, Literary Fiction,