The Baboon's Foot

The three Pignoli brothers, Bernie, Mickey and Andy, and the African, Philemon Moletsane, are all survivors of Apartheid. Their family histories, which in a dysfunctional way intersect in Johannesburg in the Fifties, go back to the turn of the 20th century. Two weeks in 1996 bring about many changes for each of these four, the most profound of which is the premature death of self-made industrial icon, Mickey. After the funeral, family and friends come together for the wake at Mickey's Johannesburg residence. Cathleen van Heerden, Mickey's sales director, whose reckless ambition has played no small part in recent events, is also on hand to exacerbate the immanent discord between herself, Bernie, and above all, Andy, making it a get-together at which crisis is never far from flash point. Written with enormous power and grace, (the story) puts me in mind of the three most powerful authors who write about Africa, Chinua Achebe, Alan Paton, and Athol Fugard. I think (this is) a very important book. People need to know more about the history of Apartheid as South Africa moves further into this post-minority rule era. A very important story, indeed, (written) with great sensitivity for the plight of the blacks and with a great sense of irony and humor with regard to the whites. M. Levin