Ever since Senzo Meyiwa’s recent senseless murder I have wanted to write something about my feelings towards the way he has been portrayed as an icon of South African pride. Then yesterday it was reported on the news that at his funeral held over the weekend, he had been described as a “hero who brought... Continue Reading →

Happy days are here again!! It's panto season again!! Oh no it isn't!! Oh yes it is!!! Oh no it isn't!!! Oh YES IT IS!!!!!! So, it's Monday 6 October 2014, almost 10h00 and we're trooping through the intricate maze that is 'Backstage' at the Joburg Theatre! We arrive at our destination, and the excitement... Continue Reading →

1. What a privilege to accompany Braz Dos Santos on his exhilarating journey from humble beginnings in a small Brazilian fishing village to the bright lights of Paris and beyond. Along the way we are introduced to the Orixas (gods) who tantalise and intrigue with their various gifts and temptations. This is a high energy,... Continue Reading →

What can one say about Barnyard shows? You know you’re not going for the high-brow theatre experience!! If you want a fun evening of good, rollicking entertainment where you can sing along, clap your hands, and get up and dance, this is the place to go. Of late, I have found that the calibre of... Continue Reading →

If I had to pick a word to describe this book it would be 'tedious'. It seemed to just go on, and on, not quite knowing what to do, or where to go with all the characters that had been created. I haven't read any of Sophie Hannah's previous books, so wasn't aware that there... Continue Reading →

One of my absolute favourite authors, and her latest offering did not disappoint. An extremely cleverly constructed story about the intricacies of adults navigating the hazardous terrain of the school playground ... ending with murder! Aggressive, dynamic Madeline and her beautiful but seemingly vague friend Celeste, align themselves with waif-like newcomer Jane, when the nasty... Continue Reading →

A highly enjoyable book ... not quite as good as The Midnight Rose (which I'd give 10 out of 10), but maybe an 8 and a half, if only for its predictability.Rosanna first meets Roberto Rossini when she is only 11 years old, and he is already a rising star of the La Scala opera... Continue Reading →

Allison has a problem ... while her life looks perfectly perfect on the outside, it's actually spiralling out of control. There's the pressure of dealing with her increasingly distant husband, Dave, her extremely volatile, sensitive child, Eloise, and her child-like mother's inability to cope with her own husband's (Allison's father) journey into Dementia. The easiest... Continue Reading →

Carrie, Damian and Charlie had an idyllic life. And on a perfect summer’s day, they go to a Norfolk beach and Charlie disappears. He is never found. His parents are left with no answers as to what happened, and inevitably their marriage breaks down. The book opens 3 years later, with Carrie about to open... Continue Reading →

I'm not sure what words to use to describe this book that is so utterly, despairingly bad that I am still struggling to understand why I even bothered to finish it! The storyline is so far beyond far-fetched that it's just ridiculous. The conversations are highly improbably - real people (and yes, I do realise... Continue Reading →