Cape Town: A Place Between

by Henry Trotter

Cape Town is a place between. Between two oceans, between first and third worlds, between east and west. So too the majority of its citizens, a people between black and white, native and settler, African and European. The Cape coloureds. This tween-ness complicates and perplexes. It threatens key conceptions we have about the histories, identities, and cultures of those who live on the continent. It makes us wonder how we can understand a city that is most assuredly in Africa, though not--seemingly--of it?

By exploring these liminal spaces of tween-ness--between the Cape's breath-taking beauty and its shattering violence, between its creative cosmopolitanism and its crude racial divisions, between its glitzy wealth and its grinding poverty--we can begin to understand the soul of this town. Haunted by its past, unsure of its future. Always emerging, never arriving. A sun-drenched peninsula best viewed through a prism noir.

Compact and concise, this book allows readers to quickly identify the unique pulse of the city, its throbbing historical, social, cultural and political beat that underlies the transactions between all Capetonians. It is not a guidebook, but a perfect companion to one, filling in the intimate details that other books leave out.

Written in accessible, punchy prose, Cape Town: A Place Between offers a portrait rendered with humor, wit and passion, based on the author's twenty-year relationship with the Cape.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Africa, Travel

140 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Liam · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Review to follow...]

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cape Town, not South Africa. A place I had not thought much about but I was intrigued by the title and the short explanation of "a place between". I am grateful to the Catalyst Press for the copy I won on Goodreads for a chance to explore the city. At 77 yrs, I can only explore on-line and in books.
And thank you, Henry Trotter for taking me with you and seeing the city through your eyes. I loved your hint of the way to travel: stop at all the local bookstores and read the works of local authors. They certainly do expand ones views.
His depiction of a port dockside certainly hits the mark as I lived and worked in Houston for years with the maritime businesses. It gives its inhabitants a worldview. My dream was when I retired, I could visit all the ports of the world. I contented myself with a few and then took in other sights.
His chapter Between Past and Future is much like what we are experiencing in the USA today. And our younger generation are between a "stubborn (or more accurately, troubled) past and impossible future."
How integrated will we/the world become? Religion is a center for many, but if we can eliminate all tags of religion, color, nationality, sex we might become a world they envision.

[B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this one in a Goodreads Giveaway. It's got its moments, and it has its interesting stories, with some of those stories being more interesting than others. Most of the issues with the book are recognized by the author in the first chapter - how there's a certain amount of bias present, how it's written by yet another white guy attempting to explain African society, things of this nature, and the author's insight is spot on - those are the issues with the book. The only other thing that rubbed me wrong was the discordant nature of the introduction - the stories should have followed the explanation, not preceded them, in my opinion. All in all, however, the book was full of tidbits that I didn't know about Cape Town and I do feel it was worth my time to read once. As the author mentions, however, this should be read as a companion to something else about Cape Town, and as interesting as some of his anecdotes were, after reading this, I don't really feel compelled to explore the city any further.

[Rebecca Winkler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this through Goodreads Giveaway.

I don't remember entering the Giveaway, bc it's not the kind of book that I like to read. But since I did win it, I decided to be fair and gave it a try.
Cape Town is a Short little book. So small it could fit in your pocket. It has about 140 pages. It's Non fiction. You will learn all about the city of Cape Town. I liked that a map was added and pictures and a glossary. (I used to say that Any book with a Map is going to be a great story. Lol) I thought it was a nice touch and if I were ever going to travel there, this would be a handy little book to have. It's not quite a travel guide, the Author draws on so much of his own experiences too. This little book is a History, a Memoir, a Guide (ect..) all wrapped into one fascinating little story of a place that I know I will never get to see with my own eyes. It is very well written, I felt like I was in the book, hearing and seeing instead of just simply reading the words. And any Author who can make me feel that way about a book is a Great Author to me.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The author is a really good water. He starts off by exploring what the water crisis is like. It's more of an outsider's perspective but since he's traveled to 14 other African countries he's pretty knowledgable in his take on Africa and Cape Town as a city.

One notable observation--we see all these static images of poverty, war and animals but Africa is so much more varied and nuanced than that. He takes you through some of those lesser known details.

There are tales of the author's heroism! He talks about the various pairings of food in Africa...apartheid (of course) and the changing nature of the University system. I learned a lot from this cute little book!

[Erin Hatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in a giveaway that I entered because I know (knew) nothing about Cape Town and I was interested in learning more. This book just scratches the surface of the complexity and diversity Cape Town has to offer. I would love to read the author's other book about the dockside prostitution economy in Cape Town, and explore other topics visited briefly in this book. Thanks to Catalyst Press for the copy!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for sharing so much of a Cape Town we would never know. I had a friend living there during Apartheid in the 80s so I had some basic understanding and knowledge, but we were young teens so I certainly didn’t understand the breadth or scope of the country. I am thankful for the opportunity to review the book in return for the giveaway.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Cape Town brings the past to life with rich detail and fascinating insights, offering a deeper understanding into this pivotal time. The well-researched narrative and engaging storytelling make it a must-read for anyone interested in history and its lasting impact on the present.

[Haafizah Topley]

A must read!!!
Henry Trotters method, effort, style & uniqueness of how to hold a readers satisfaction is everlasting.
My inspiration & my personal motivation.

Also check out Sugar Girls and Seamen by Henry Trotter, insightful indeed.

[Camille Pum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in the giveaway! I've always been aware of Cape Town but have not had any personal experiences learning about it to be knowledgeable. I love Henry Trotter's writing style, this is definitely a story I will remember.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There’s just something about it. A city that draws you in. Forcefully at first, with visual magnetism. But more subtly, later, as its cultural vitality works on you. Changes you. Ruins you for all other places."

[Erika Kraus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in the giveaway! I absolutely loved the story line as well as Henry Trotter's writing style. A quick read that is sure to inspire new thoughts. I highly recommend.

[Got Twins-Need Coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and easy to read.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize how little I knew about Cape Town until I read this. It's a great introduction into the political and racial issues of this city.

[Michelle Pulignani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely worth reading.

[John Paul Gairhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Cape Town is a city that feels like it is always on the
cusp of arriving but never quite getting there.”