Super Short Summary

Shaun Viljoen’s Richard Rive: A Partial Biography explores the life of South African writer Richard Rive from the 1950s until his murder in 1989, focusing on his literary achievements, struggles with homosexuality, and views on nonracialism. Born in District Six, Rive captured apartheid’s realities in works like “'Buckingham Palace,’ District Six,” which Viljoen highlights to reignite interest in pre-1994 South African literature. The biography considers how Rive's rejection of racialism and perception of himself as simply human, rather than colored, shaped his advocacy for social justice while revealing personal battles with loneliness and self-loathing. Reflections on apartheid-era constraints and modern interpretations offer new appreciation for Rive's complex personality and contributions.