Literary Fiction by People of Color discussion

Happy November, LFPC!

Our discussion this month is Coconut by Kopano Matlwa. Has anyone started the book yet? Here's some information about the author including a video clip, review and other info:

By the way, Meet Kopano Matlwa:
http://youtu.be/hFIRTA9SiY8

Africa Book Club Review:
http://www.africabookclub.com/?p=7688

Among the current crop of writers in South Africa, Kopano Matlwa stands uniquely head and shoulders above the rest. This grounded twenty two year old author of provocative novel Coconut about black South African youths’ loss of identity in their highly Westernised nation highlights what can happen to African children when they realize that in a world that is black-and-white, life can be cruel when one is not black enough to be black but too black to be white.

Matlwa is not only the youngest European Literary Award winner to come out of South Africa but in addition, continues to manage a hectic writer’s schedule of book readings, literary fairs et al, with a full-time schedule as a medical student at University of Cape Town. She cites Zimbabwean Tsitsi Dangarembgwa’s Nervous Conditions as one of her favourite books.

Let's have a taste of the Coconut!

Wow. Such a short book but such a powerful, powerful punch. The bookstore I work at unfortunately doesn't carry it, but I have definitely been recommending (and guaranteeing!) it to anyone who's just finished reading, for example, Americanah.

This title might be a bit hard to find. Its not available in the DC or MD. suburb library systems. I have read her second book "Spilt Milk" and gave it 4 stars so I went ahead and downloaded this one to my nook. Almost done. And it is also short and sweet. She says a lot with an economy of words.

I bought this book several years ago but have not yet it. I have been away on vacation for several weeks so once I catch up on "home" items I hoping I will be able to start in a couple of days.

In a six degrees of separation coincidence, my wife attended the U. of Cape Town medical school at the same time as this author. Although my wife was in her PhD program and the author was just starting her premed courses, she said everyone knew of the young student who in addition to mastering the daunting task of medical study, could, at the same time, publish internationally acclaimed novels!

The Kindle price jumped recently, but if it doesn't drop in a few days, I'll give in and order it. Very cool connection, Bill!

I'm already half way through this really good book. It took me about couple of chapters to get used to the writing style of this book, it goes from present to past quite often. After I got used that I started to really enjoy the book.

I enjoy hearing certain authors read their own work. Especially when it sounds as beautiful as this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii-LO8...

Any early comments on Coconut? Matlwa's writing style, the setting etc...has anyone been to South Africa and if so how well does the author capture this new S. Africa - in your opinion?

Columbus wrote: "Any early comments on Coconut? Matlwa's writing style, the setting etc...has anyone been to South Africa and if so how well does the author capture this new S. Africa - in your opinion?"

I've been to S.A. numerous times. I've actually worked in the country and my wife is from KwaZulu-Natal. But aside from some general knowledge, like knowing the implications of the BEE program, I don't think I have any special insights into the story of this book. Its story is a pretty intimate look at the lives of two young adult women and their families. By looking at the micro machinery of family dynamics the author reveals and builds up to the macro face of S.A. today.

BTW, the S.A. Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) program was established at the end of apartheid to guarantee Black workers and farmers a piece of the economic pie through quotas and other means. Shortly thereafter sprung up the "Black Diamonds" or the Black folks who got very rich very quickly. Many were tokens and favored political cronies. As is to be expected, the program is roundly criticized by some and vigorously applauded by others.
As part of my duties in S.A., I would receive BEE reports from agricultural industries. For an industry that used to pay its workers in rotgut alcohol, it still had a long way to go in fulfilling the original promise of the program. Inclusion of these landless destitute emerging farmers into the economy kinda made up for the abuses seen in other industries.

William wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Any early comments on Coconut? Matlwa's writing style, the setting etc...has anyone been to South Africa and if so how well does the author capture this new S. Africa - in your opi..."

William, that's quite interesting. Is the BEE program still in operation - do you know? I wonder also if the white establishment look at it as some sort of reparations or affirmative action or am I just totally off base?

Columbus wrote: "William wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Any early comments on Coconut? Matlwa's writing style, the setting etc...has anyone been to South Africa and if so how well does the author capture this new S. Afri..."

That's exactly what it is. Just as Blacks were systematically excluded from the economy, the new gov. forced their inclusion. Surely the white establishment didn't/doesn't like it...its still ongoing as far as I know...it was 2 years ago..

I just started the book last night so I am not too far into the book, but I am enjoying and the writing style has me paying attention.
One thing I noticed (and have noticed before in other books by South African writers regarding this time period is how universal some of the issues are if you were to compare with storylines from AA writers writing about the 70s. There are similar issues regarding integration/assimilation into the white society, the concern regarding identity (retaining culture, being one of the few non-white students, etc.

Refresh my memory here. Is this the very first book set in South Africa we've read in this club? I must be missing one. Shocking!

Columbus wrote: "Refresh my memory here. Is this the very first book set in South Africa we've read in this club? I must be missing one. Shocking!"

Lots of S.A. books have been on the polls but this is the first one that I recall winning.

The Kindle price for Coconut dropped to $9.39 today, so I'll start reading it this weekend.

While the use of bleaching creams were not explicitly mentioned in Coconut - there were enough interesting discussion on both of the main characters regarding being "white" and skin tone that this article caught my attention.

Africa: Where black is not really beautiful

A recent study by the University of Cape Town suggests that one woman in three in South Africa bleaches her skin. The reasons for this are as varied as the cultures in this country but most people say they use skin-lighteners because they want "white skin".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-afric...

Beverly wrote: "While the use of bleaching creams were not explicitly mentioned in Coconut - there were enough interesting discussion on both of the main characters regarding being "white" and skin tone that this ..."

I wasn't aware this done so often. So disturbing and sad. And then the risk factors involved....geez

Apparently this is the year of Black/African women's hair and it's attendant entanglements. Coconut begins with Ofilwe admiring Kate's long auburn tresses. She is shocked to learn that Kate in turn admires her tight braids, hair she always considered inferior, and she proceeds to try, when asked, to braid her white friends red hair. All goes awry when this simple act is found out by the authorities/teachers. Seems we've read more than a couple books this yer where Black hair has stood as a metaphor for a larger issue.
Shortly after this Ofilwe goes to a beauty shop and comments on the Black American women, with flowing hair, adorning her beauty products, that look nothing like her. But she is more than willing to suffer the chemical burn needed to look like them.

William wrote: "Apparently this is the year of Black/African women's hair and it's attendant entanglements. Coconut begins with Ofilwe admiring Kate's long auburn tresses. She is shocked to learn that Kate in turn..."

Yes, this was a powerful way to start this book.
I thought the author did a wonderful job of showing the lasting legacy effects of colonized consciousness.
How the outward appearance can reinforce superiority through appearances and the reaction of others.

But a couple of questions came to mind also:
- I also wondered how many of the African women saw straightening their hair as a status symbol as they could afford the perms while maybe other women with lesser could not afford this.
- This book was written in 2007 and I wonder what has changed? - I acknowledge that even today the "hair" issue can be a sensitive subject for many black women - is it a generational thing?

When I was in South Africa in 2011, straightened, weaves and wigs ruled the roost of most urban professional types. Not so much in the rural areas. But as the professional class becomes more westernized, the more native hair styles and dress becomes relegated to the craft bazaars and touristy homeland "reservations" (think native american reservations with a "pow wow" demonstration every day at noon). As South Africa continues to transition from an agricultural to industrial economy you start to see the same kinds of pressures as happened in the U.S. not too long ago.

Ofilwe is devastated to learn that her mother is going to force her to attend a funeral on the same day she was prepared to attend the party of the year. This lead her to question the whole concept of church going and she asks her mother, what type of traditions and ceremonies did she and her people observe before becoming Westernized. Her mother seemed very reluctant to even talk about the old native traditions. So while the conflict seemed almost like an everyday american teenage dilemma, the lost cultural aspect made it unique to South Africa.

William wrote: "Ofilwe is devastated to learn that her mother is going to force her to attend a funeral on the same day she was prepared to attend the party of the year. This lead her to question the whole concept..."

Yes, interesting point - that comment definitely make it a non-American book but I guess the same can be said for other countries that were colonized and the colonizer left. But I also took it to mean that Ofilwe wanted to know her history and not just to be a "copy" of Western expectations.

While I enjoyed this book, for some reason this is a book that that I am finding hard to discuss specific parts.

For me this book the sum is much greater than the parts and the value and appreciation came when I finished the book.

I did find part 2 more interesting/engaging than part 1.

We've read quite a few books with young protagonists lately. Coconut, Long Division and We Need New Names come to mind. Would you consider this current selection and the others, candidates for Young Adult literature or not? How does this narrator compare or contrast with the narrator in Division and New Names. Also, what are your thoughts on coming-of-age stories? Do you generally enjoy them or not?

Columbus wrote: "Any early comments on Coconut? Matlwa's writing style, the setting etc...has anyone been to South Africa and if so how well does the author capture this new S. Africa - in your opinion?"

Columbus, I am travelling there in less than two months to visit and look forward to experiencing it. I was inspired to go there after reading a 2013 release, The Sabi from this country. I will have a copy of Coconut in the next 2 days and will add my thoughts to this stream, especially after reading this last book which was very reflective of various issues raised in this discussion as well. I note that Coconut is a short read (thankfully given my current reading commitments) and look forward to it.

William how did you find the country generally?

Columbus wrote: "We've read quite a few books with young protagonists lately. Coconut, Long Division and We Need New Names come to mind. Would you consider this current selection and the others, candidates for Youn..."

Interesting questions.
Yes, I would consider the books mentioned as candidates for Young Adult reading. The issue is with YA and Adult peoples is does the reader have the necessary background to understand the story concepts/background to fully appreciate the story premises and messages. Both this also happens in adult readers.

At this time in my reading career, I am not a big fan of coming-of-age stories. Now there has to be a "reason" why I will pickup and stay with a coming-of-age story. Usually I am more partial to female coming-of-age stories than male coming-of-age stories.

I thought that one of the important points the author was making was that no matter the circumstances of the girls upbringing both were equally influenced/infected by the dominant culture. This is pointed out to Ofilwe when her brother shows her that not one of the heroes she has plastered on her wall is African/Black. Fikile by contrast is blindly determined in her emulation of all things white.

I think Tshepo's rejection of his fathers course set out for him in life was a sign that certain young adult struggles are universal.

Donald wrote: "Columbus wrote: "Any early comments on Coconut? Matlwa's writing style, the setting etc...has anyone been to South Africa and if so how well does the author capture this new S. Africa - in your opi..."

I'm sure that you will be surprised at the wealth and modernity of the country. I've never seen such a concentration of luxury cars and its malls and boutiques rival anything you've seen in the U.S. And as my tour guide once pointed out, there are over 30 millionaires living in Soweto. Juxtaposed against the tin shacks and grinding poverty of Joberg are the steel and glass towers of Sandton...so its a land of beauty and paradoxes...Durban on the warm blue Indian ocean and Capetown on the cold grey Atlantic...wonderful loving people and crime statistics that make you blanch.. have fun!

William wrote: "I thought that one of the important points the author was making was that no matter the circumstances of the girls upbringing both were equally influenced/infected by the dominant culture. This is ..."

Yes, I agree that one of the important points is no matter the circumstances both girls were influenced by the colonizer culture. And by having the girls come from different economic backgrounds to show the point was one of the values of this book for me.

Also one - Ofilwe was emerged into the culture and was encouraged by her parents to be like them - so between wanting to fit in with her peers and to please her parents and because she was not informed until her brother pointed it out to her. She might have come to this conclusion on her own in a couple of years but her brother accelerated this process for her.

Fiks on the other hand, I thought needed to want be something than what she was to help her survive her pain and situation. For Fiks - unfortunately she saw that as being white.

Its really hard to generate sympathy for a child abuser but the author managed to build a bit of sympathy for Fiks uncle in me. His was a very well developed character. Apart from using Fiks in an inappropriate way, which Fiks by the way, basically shrugged off, his story was pretty heartbreaking. Most of his problems were directed at him from above but much was also self inflicted. His self hate was palatable. He clearly knew he was being used as the face of his company's BEE program as an executive, while being just a security guard in reality. He had become a farce, a Shakespeare quoting college dropout now at the very bottom rung but insistent that would soon be allowed to voice an opinion next time his bosses used him again as a prop.

I recently read that Chinua Achebe suggested that one of the first duties of the writer in a post-colonial society is the task of re-education and regeneration.
First do you think - this is a post-colonial society?
Second do you think the author did her duty according to the Achebe suggestion?

William wrote: "Its really hard to generate sympathy for a child abuser but the author managed to build a bit of sympathy for Fiks uncle in me. His was a very well developed character. Apart from using Fiks in an ..."

While I agree that the uncle's self-hate was palatable and the author does a great job in her characterizations, honestly I did not feel any sympathy for him. He knew how down graded he felt by the whites who were "abusing" him and he in turn abuses someone else.

As for Fiks shrugging it off - that was her way of being able to go on.

Beverly wrote: "William wrote: "Its really hard to generate sympathy for a child abuser but the author managed to build a bit of sympathy for Fiks uncle in me. His was a very well developed character. Apart from u..."

I'm not excusing his behavior...but he was also a victim and in that sense I had a bit of sympathy for him...Hmmm...re-education and regeneration? I'm not sure that this slight story..more of a novella really, would qualify for such a heavy mantle...but it certainly educates though a series of scenes and situations designed to reveal the dark and far reaching consequences of a post colonial society. Although S.A. was the first independent African republic it was colonized by at least 2 maybe 3 imperialist superpowers and then was ruled by a home grown (Afrikaaner) version for many years after. So..yes its very much a post colonial society.

BTW...in case u missed it..calling a Black person a coconut in South Africa is the same as calling one an Oreo in the U.S. Dark on the outside, white inside.

Thanks everyone for your comments! The thread will remain up and available to add additional comments and also for those still reading the book. Now join us for Claire of the Sea Light for our December discussion.... .

Missed the discussion, just finished reading Coconut. I am not a big fan of that writing style, I was quite distracted by the flashbacks and use of language. I wondered if that is how South Africans speak. I am not a literary reader by any stretch of the imagination and perhaps this was just my own short comings as a reader. I do prefer non fiction so I will provide for that failing on my side. It certainly is very different to the South African book I read and now re-reading as part of a Group Read.

I would characterize it more as Young Adult although I note the issues around understanding deeper themes that the book covers

But did really identify with the issues raised. And William I guess yes a Coconut would be close to an Oreo in US. We certainly could write many books about that. Many of us for instance don't even like to refer to ourselves as African, many don't even know our history

I shudder to think what American culture exports to the rest of the world, in this case SA -- there is a part when she refers to the A-American girls (I think about hair)

Overall a good book, considering the age of the author, despite my frustrations at the writing style