I love all Andre Brink's work, and unashamedly judge a bookshop on whether they stock him. In these sad days of front list only stocking not many pass muster!

This is up for grabs as I have two copies, but I would prefer it to be a trade for another Brink. I suppose it's the best known because of the film, although my favourites so far are Rumours of Rain and An Instant on the Wind.

Sending to Bookgroupman today as a trade.

Thanks Shylock; how exciting, a new author coming with high praise. Will read once I've got a couple of book group commitments out of the way...

I always feel bad given a book a lukewarm review if I know that it’s a favourite of someone else, in this case Shylock, Andre Brink’s biggest fan, in quite a scary way ;-) I don’t know, maybe its me, but I found this earnest, overtly political novel very frustrating. Too much like Disgrace for my liking – disgraced middle-aged white South African teacher caught up in sexual, racial & political intrigue, becomes increasingly isolated & persecuted? In AB’s favour, the writing is powerful and the subject matter thought provoking; vis apartheid in the 1970’s and the death in custody of a black student and his father. But, I didn’t find much empathy with the characters, especially the ‘hero’ Ben Du Toit (misguided activist & defender of the disenfranchised – it didn’t really ring true that a middle-aged middle-classed ‘boer’ would take this righteous, and in the end, destructive path?) Also, last but not least, what happened at the end, I had to re-read the last several pages, no closure from AB, no conclusion or epilogue from the reporter/narrator? I suppose real life isn’t always (ever?) neat and tidy, but this is fiction, so no excuses.

What can I say Carol, not my cup-of-tea, too strong, too bitter, not very enjoyable :(

Released on Friday, May 28, 2004 at Martyr's Field memorial, ring road overpass in Coventry, England United Kingdom.

It sounds like a mad location, but typical civic planners have built a major road under and around a memorial to C15th Coventry martyrs The Lollards (what a great name!) Shylock and I have agreed to differ on this book, so its your chance to tip the balance. Thank you for reading, reviewing, passing on...

I was really happy and excited when I found the book. I think that it is a wounderful initiative, that makes us better.

CAUGHT IN COVENTRY UK