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The Heart Of Redness

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2000

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Book Brief

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Zakes Mda

The Heart Of Redness

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2000
Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Qolorha-by-Sea • Contemporary

Publication Year

2000

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Heart of Redness by Zakes Mda intertwines history and myth, exploring the lasting impact of the 1856 amaXhosa cattle-killing prophecy through the lives of a South African village's descendants over 150 years. The novel juxtaposes the prophesy-believing family of Twin and the skeptical family of Twin-Twin, culminating in a modern struggle involving Camagu, who returns from exile and becomes torn between traditionalist Qukezwa and modernist Xoliswa Ximiya.

Mysterious

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Melancholic

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.0

1,672 ratings

63%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Heart of Redness by Zakes Mda expertly intertwines historical and contemporary narratives, evoking rich cultural detail and deep-rooted social dynamics in post-apartheid South Africa. Praised for its vivid storytelling and multifaceted characters, some critics find its pacing uneven. Overall, it offers a compelling reflection on tradition versus modernity.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Heart Of Redness?

A reader who enjoys The Heart of Redness by Zakes Mda is likely someone intrigued by postcolonial literature, magical realism, and African history. Fans of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart or Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude will appreciate Mda's rich storytelling and exploration of cultural identity.

4.0

1,672 ratings

63%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Qolorha-by-Sea • Contemporary

Publication Year

2000

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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