Sunday, November 2, 2014
Welcome to Our Hillbrow
In the novel "Welcome to Our Hillbrow" by Phaswane Mpe. This novel is an autobiography, written in second person narrative, and a metafiction. This novel takes you on a ride through the turmoil of Hillbrow. It deals with topics such as crime, drugs, rape, suicide, AIDS, and xenophobia. It's also a tale of love and betrayal. This book takes a look at Hillbrow from the perspective of one who lived there in a turbulent time.
The second person narration that talks not back to the reader but to the protagonist of the story who has already passed when the book begins. It chronicles the events leading to his death revealing the entire picture from beginning to end, and jumps around a bit, but adds to the allure. The second person narration wasn't used consistently and I found that a bit confusing.
A part that stood out to me was when the author, Lyn Di Iorio came to our class and spoke about trying to put a spell on her then boyfriend. They speak about Johannesburg women and what they can do to a man: You said: yes, some Johannesburg women are certainly terrible. But the same can be said of some Tiragalong women. Are some of them not known for throwing love potions into the food and drink of their husbands or illicit lovers ? Love potions that are sometimes so strong that they turned the men into madmen ?. (90)
This novel hit home for me working in the health field, I have come across a lot of patients that have been raped, tried to commit suicide because of being betrayed by a partner or loved one. And many of them on drugs, or infected with AIDS. It's a very sad situation. They are very angry at themselves and towards others around them, and not that they mean to be, but they are. They no longer have the will to live. They are disowned by family and friends, and are basically left alone to die. It's a very sad situation, but it's a society we live in today.
Definitely a novel where you sigh with some sadness at the end. Overall, a great, short read.
I read that the author died suddenly at a young age, causes unclear, and I wonder if he himself contracted AIDS.
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2 comments:
I agree, i think this book as sadness written all over this book. There was some facts and stories told. I also think there a lot things to questions to ask regurading to the people in Africa.
I do agree that this book is a bit confusing because the author used second person narrative and “you”. This book reminded me of the book Outside the bones by Lyn Di Iorio because both authors used foreign words and collaborated with their English texts. They also used technique of imagery to portray the stories. I also felt sad that this wonderful author passed away at a young age of 34.
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