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The Weight of Shade
You see a lot here, Agni. But you are a peculiar boy, and this is a strange place. When those two come together, things happen.
In the rural Marico district of the Northwest Province, an orphaned boy, Agni, arrives at a lonely farmhouse in a valley. There he meets Esmeralda, the old woman who never leaves the shadows of her room, and the mysterious Kagiso, who has always lived on the property. He does not know why he was brought to this place, but as he spends his days in lessons with Esmeralda and discovers the secrets of the land from Kagiso, he begins to experience occurrences, which haunt his waking hours and dreams.
Meanwhile, in a nearby town, Nikus has just finished high school. He longs to leave the Marico for the distant city and saves money by working as a handyman at the eerie old farmhouse. His only friends are the local drunk and the owner of The Outpost Deli, but Nikus also begins to spend time with the girlfriend of his best friend, who had already left for the big world. She gives Nikus hope in a different future, and together they plan to escape.
The lives of Agni and Nikus are bound together by the Marico. They are both caught between the worlds of imagination and reality, rumour and truth. While Nikus is forced to decide between his present and unknown possibilities, Agni clings to Kagiso as they witness Esmeralda’s slow descent into madness.
Nothing disappears.
The Weight of Shade is a haunting, gothic tale that explores the bearing of the past on our lives and whether we can ever escape the circumstances thrust upon us.
In the rural Marico district of the Northwest Province, an orphaned boy, Agni, arrives at a lonely farmhouse in a valley. There he meets Esmeralda, the old woman who never leaves the shadows of her room, and the mysterious Kagiso, who has always lived on the property. He does not know why he was brought to this place, but as he spends his days in lessons with Esmeralda and discovers the secrets of the land from Kagiso, he begins to experience occurrences, which haunt his waking hours and dreams.
Meanwhile, in a nearby town, Nikus has just finished high school. He longs to leave the Marico for the distant city and saves money by working as a handyman at the eerie old farmhouse. His only friends are the local drunk and the owner of The Outpost Deli, but Nikus also begins to spend time with the girlfriend of his best friend, who had already left for the big world. She gives Nikus hope in a different future, and together they plan to escape.
The lives of Agni and Nikus are bound together by the Marico. They are both caught between the worlds of imagination and reality, rumour and truth. While Nikus is forced to decide between his present and unknown possibilities, Agni clings to Kagiso as they witness Esmeralda’s slow descent into madness.
Nothing disappears.
The Weight of Shade is a haunting, gothic tale that explores the bearing of the past on our lives and whether we can ever escape the circumstances thrust upon us.
Published January 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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June 10, 2023~And you are a person, no matter your name. But in many years, other people may forget it, or they may spell it incorrectly and only remember it that way.~
~And sometimes you need something, even a stone, to help you believe that the rest of your journey will be easier than it has been.~
~He looked around him and thought about the fence. He wondered whether it was keeping him in or the world out.~
~It seems a strange irony that a book about good morals ultimately has questionable morals of its own.~
~Everything had its place, a home. And he couldn't take any of it because it belonged where it had always been, even if he did not.~
~And sometimes you need something, even a stone, to help you believe that the rest of your journey will be easier than it has been.~
~He looked around him and thought about the fence. He wondered whether it was keeping him in or the world out.~
~It seems a strange irony that a book about good morals ultimately has questionable morals of its own.~
~Everything had its place, a home. And he couldn't take any of it because it belonged where it had always been, even if he did not.~
July 5, 2024
I loved this book.
June 27, 2023
An absolutely beautiful read with an simplicity and innocence to it. The narrative oscillates between Agni and Nikus, basically telling two stories in one space. Once again, the concept of liminal space pops up.
August 1, 2024
An absolutely incredibly read, worthy of the praise and accolades it is getting. Mike Boyd has masterfully crafted novel that pulls you into a world of complex characters and intricate plotlines. From the first page, Boyd's writing is both compelling and evocative, painting vivid scenes that linger long after you've turned the last page.
The characters are richly developed, each with their own distinct voice and a backstory that adds depth to the narrative. But one of the novel's standout features is its setting. Boyd's descriptions of the Marico is so immersive that you can almost feel the weight of the shade, the oppressive heat, and the cool respite of the night.
The plot is expertly paced, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you have everything figured out, Boyd throws in a surprise that changes the game entirely. It's a rollercoaster ride of emotions that keeps you hooked until the very end.
Overall, "The Weight of Shade" is a testament to Mike Boyd's talent as a storyteller. It's a thought-provoking, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable read that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a book that offers both substance and style. I eagerly await his next offering.
The characters are richly developed, each with their own distinct voice and a backstory that adds depth to the narrative. But one of the novel's standout features is its setting. Boyd's descriptions of the Marico is so immersive that you can almost feel the weight of the shade, the oppressive heat, and the cool respite of the night.
The plot is expertly paced, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you have everything figured out, Boyd throws in a surprise that changes the game entirely. It's a rollercoaster ride of emotions that keeps you hooked until the very end.
Overall, "The Weight of Shade" is a testament to Mike Boyd's talent as a storyteller. It's a thought-provoking, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable read that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a book that offers both substance and style. I eagerly await his next offering.
June 12, 2023
The Weight of Shade is described as “a haunting, gothic tale that explores the bearing of the past on our lives and whether we can ever escape the circumstances thrust upon us”. It is haunting and, in that there is an atmosphere of fear and mystery (about almost every character), it meets the criterion of a gothic novel. And yet it is so much more. It is atmospheric, thought-provoking and its characters fascinating and evolving. It could be literary fiction. It’s exciting enough to be a thriller and there are elements of coming-of-age to it. Like many novels, it can’t be pigeonholed. Indeed, what struck me about the book was how much mystery there is to the plot and characters, how thrilling it is to read, gripping, page-turning, etc. etc. and yet there’s a gentleness to the writing, characters and even plot that transcends everything. It’s a remarkable thing that sets the book apart from others. I read it with great delight and thought about it for days afterwards.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews