‘There is one thing that can never be controlled and that is the imagination.’
A Q&A with The Theory of Flight author, Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu
Author Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu shares her thoughts and feelings on a wide range of topics related to the novel, including what inspired her to write it, the issues she wished to explore, her interpretation of the motivations of the main characters, what she believes the work suggests about its major themes, and the importance of getting to know yourself and holding on to yourself when influences like history, circumstances, other people, and the state try to shape and change you.
Stretching our humanity and broadening our perspectives
A Q&A with The Dream House author, Craig Higginson
Author Craig Higginson shares his thoughts and feelings on a wide range of topics related to the novel, including what inspired him to write it, the issues he wished to explore, his interpretation of the motivations of the main characters, what he believes the work suggests about its major themes, and the importance of challenging the idea that what happened in the past is ‘someone else’s business’ and not our responsibility.
‘Life is about perfecting the art of believing as much as possible.’
A Q&A with Life of Pi author, Yann Martel.
Author Yann Martel shares his ideas on the main themes he set out to address in the work, the questions that interested him most while writing the novel, what students might gain from reading the text, and why he believes that life is an ‘act of interpretation’ that resists being reduced to ‘facts’.
Hugh reaches out
Making sense of Touch with Hugh Lewin
Poet Hugh Lewin talks exclusively to The English Experience about ‘Touch’, life in prison during Apartheid and what he hopes students will gain from reading the poem.
Unforgiven: making sense of our present through their past
A Q&A with author Patrick Flanery
Author Patrick Flanery shares his candid thoughts regarding the themes of censorship, memory and truth, the importance of writing strong South African female characters and why he chose to set his novel in contemporary South Africa.
Coming to terms with the past
A Q&A with The Beneficiaries author, Sarah Penny
Author Sarah Penny shares her ideas on being a teenager in the 70s, the relationship between truth and memory, the role of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and what it means to be a ‘white African’.