Post-Cards from South Africa ~ Rayda Jacobs

Post-Cards from South Africa ~ Rayda Jacobs

Medium soft cover
Very good condition

Rayda Jacobs Post-Cards from South Africa is a poignant and semi-autobiographical collection of twenty short stories that trace the emotional and political landscape of South Africa before and after the end of apartheid. Divided into two sectionsThe Beginning Years and The New South Africathe first twelve stories were originally published during Jacobss 27-year exile in Canada and reflect the longing and displacement of a writer far from home. Central to many of these stories is the character Sabah, whose experiences mirror Jacobss own, including a harrowing deportation after being found with a white identity card used to access education under apartheid. The remaining eight stories explore the complexities of post-1994 South Africa, revealing that while political change has occurred, personal and societal tensions persist. Jacobs deftly portrays themes such as racial identity, exile, unemployment, crime, and gendered sorrowparticularly the emotional isolation of second wives. Her storytelling is marked by compassion and clarity, often using deceptively simple language to evoke deep emotional truths. The title story is a series of brief, vivid sketches that encapsulate the challenges of a society in transition. Through Sabah and other characters, Jacobs offers a layered reflection on memory, belonging, and the enduring scars of systemic injustice.