A review by oliviawinchester
Welcome to Our Hillbrow: A Novel of Postapartheid South Africa by Ghirmai Negash, Phaswane Mpe

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

My favourite book of the year. Was so pleasantly surprised, have never read a post-apartheid South African novel and happy this was my first. So beautiful written and such a clever narrative style that complemented the overall message. The novel deals with issues of race, space, community, xenophobia, the power of narrative/stories/music and AIDS so cleverly. I loved the unique narrative voice and its poetic quality. Definitely would recommend, and would argue it is a must read for anyone. Going to delve into Mpe's other work now!