1. Meeting Jenny Crwys-Williams. Talking to her, being interviewed by her. Listening to her interviewing other writers. Her intelligent appreciation of my book. Of any book she likes. Her zeal and appetite for life, her energy and love for books. Her shimmering charisma.
2. Hearing Christopher Hope read the strangest and most bizarre story I have heard in a long time. Anytime Christopher Hope opened his mouth to say anything at all. His kindness, warmth and erudition.
3. My brother, Uchi, who was with me every step. His good humour. His fearlessness in talking to the great and the good. His pride in me. His ability to change a tire without getting stain of grease on his hand.
4. So this woman in Cape Town with the clearest skin and the longest hair asks me to sign a book for her and her husband André. I go to Franschhoek to find that the André whose name I wrote so breezily is none other than André Brink. I spend a wonderful morning with them, and he has nothing but kind advice for me.
5. My bookshelf coming to life and walking and talking and eating and laughing with me. Christopher Hope and Justin Cartwright. Vikas Swarup and Sindiwe Magona. André Brink and Alexandra Fuller.
6. More silver and gold - reconnecting with old friends, Justin, Darrel. Making new friends, Phakama, Lauren, Mervyn.
7. The very funny and very tall Tom Eaton.
8. Meeting new writers. Pippa Green. Max du Preez. Peter Harris.
9. Buying books, books and then some more books.
10. Meeting Phakama Mbonambi, the gentlest, most generous and most unassuming man, and collecting all editions of his journal Wordsetc. He is wonderfully ambitious. In an age when magazines are closing down, he has launched an unashamedly literary journal. Go Phakama.
11. Seeing the piles of my book get smaller and smaller everywhere I went. Signing my fingers sore. Meeting readers. Zimbabweans. South African. Men. Women. And even two children.
12. A chance to do one of the things I love best, mentoring and giving career advice and guidance to young lawyers, in this case, Katy, through her father. Katy, if you are reading this, stay away from a pure human rights law degree. You can learn that stuff in your sleep. Mix it up with some edgy stuff, like international criminal law and humanitarian law. A good solid degree in international law may also take you further.
13. Having lunch with Jonathan Ball, publisher, man of letters and living legend. And sharing his mussels.
14. A TV interview, two TV interviews, loads of radio, magazine and newspaper interviews that did not focus only on the politics of Zimbabwe. Talking up a storm with some wonderfully funny and well-read journalists.
15. Vikas Swarup insisting that his wife take a picture of us. Me and the Slumdog Millionaire together, I quip. Oh I am the slumdog, he says, and you’ll soon be the millionaire.
16. My session with Alexandra Fuller, which veered spectacularly from the topic but was the most fun panel I have been on in years and years. Alexandra Fuller is a dangerous woman. She is my new best friend. She kind of has to be, because I have no intention of getting on the wrong side of that woman.
17. Meeting Sindiwe Magona, the most energetic and buzzing woman on the planet. Sharing banter with her. Her lovely new book. Her energy. Her passion for quality indigenous writing. Her shining goodness. Between her and Jenny Crwys-Williams, they could sort out all that ails South Africa, and all the countries beyond.
18. Lauren Beukes and Mervyn Sloman and everyone at the Book Lounge.
19. Meeting booksellers from all over South Africa and seeing their commitment to books. Getting a better understanding of how that side of publishing works.
20. Hanging and cruising with Jean and Nicky and David and everyone at Bookpromotions.
21. Hanging and cruising with Will Atkinson of Faber and getting to know him better. Listening to his presentation of the new Faber books, and his great news about three Faber writers. Lorrie Moore’s new novel is out soon. After ten years, there is a new Barbara Kingsolver. I have seen her manuscript, it is huge. I read the first chapter. Sizzling. There will also be a new Paul Auster, I have the galley copy. For a reader as voracious as I am, does life get any better than this?
22. The incredible efficiency of the Franschhoek festival organizers and all the volunteers.
23. The intimate warmth of the festival.
24. And the heart-stopping beauty of the Franschhoek valley.
5 comments:
Good to know Petina that you have been enjoying every bit of this book tour...can't wait to get my hands on the book! Congratulations...
Lucky, lucky Petina - meeting the author of 'Devil's valley', and all the others. Lucky you live in boring Geneva, so you can get a bit of rest, eh?
We must see each other some time soon - I might not be Brink, but I'm sure I cook a meaner butternut than him!
Thank you for your kind comments, Petina. We will miss you terribly around here, but the treat of your book is still with us.
Thank you also for the compliments (the hair is long, but the skin...well...). André and I were thrilled to meet you and now we are fighting over your book. We should have bought at least two copies :)
Zamazama, André is a great cook (also of butternut) ;) Lots of good wishes for the rest of your tour in this part of the world! We'll stay in touch. Karina
You won't remember me, Petina, but I wanted to thank you for inscribing a copy of your book for my best friend Keith Martin, like you a Zimbabwean abroad, who used to run Mashfords Funeral Parlour in Harare. When he saw your greeting (in Shona), tears filled his eyes. He stayed up half the night reading your book. So did I. I am going to be bragging about meeting you when I am old and grey. So glad you enjoyed your time here with us in the Cape.
Petina!
You met my father at the Franschoek Literary Festival and he asked you for any advice for me as a young lawyer wanting to get into international human rights. I've just read your comment on your blog and my dad had passed on what you said. I totally agree re getting experience in international criminal and humanitarian law. I am also very interested in the areas of public international law that apply to trade and investment from a developing world perspective. I read on your blog that you work for a international organisation in Geneva advising developing countries on international trade law. I would hugely value an opportunity to talk to you about the work you do and your thoughts about how developing countries can use international law to their best advantage when it comes to foreign trade and investment. If you would be amenable to a dialogue over email please let me know.
Thanks so much for taking the time to speak to my father. You truly are an inspiration.
Kate
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