In the raging metropolis of Meyerton, a small group of South Africans cluster around a B&B, splashing in the deep end of the new South Africa. May used to be maid, but now she’s in business with her former madam, Annica. Together they run the Fox ? Zulu where its riotous guests have to learn to adapt to all the exicetements of the love affairs across every taboo, the neighbourhood brothelkeeper at breakfast, Harry’s shebeen and a lonely snake. Ants in the Big Onion is enough to taunt every cultural perception and stain even the most enduring friendship, but all visitors check in for a bakkieload of laughs.
Just 189 pages - I was pretty sure I would be able to read this novel in two hours.
But I didn't bank on laughing so much. I spent more time laughing than reading. So it took me a lot longer to get through Ants in the Big Onion.
But it was a wonderfully witty, insightful read about a smalltown community with characters that, if they don't leave you scandalised, will worm their way into your heart and have you giggling long after you've turned the last page.
Watch out for my interview with Annica Foxcroft and a longer review of Ants in the Big Onion later this month.
I read until the end of chapter 5, but just couldn't get into it. There's a lot of dialogue from the start, and to me, the voices of the characters didn't sound authentic. I gave up reading this one.