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The Bird of Heaven

Peter Dunseith

ISBN:

9780624045571

Epub ISBN:

9780624051220

Publisher:

Tafelberg

Date Released:

April 2009

Price (incl. VAT):

R 167.50

Format:

Soft cover, 192pp

About this book:

M.E.R. Prize for Youth Literature 2010 A gripping coming-of-age story about a young Swazi boy training to be a sangoma. After completing the quest for his muti bag, Mandla is initiated into the mysteries of Nkosatana, the Princess of Heaven, and becomes a heaven-herd by catching a bird of lightning. But this is only the start of his path toward maturity. Superficially a fantasy adventure with some magic realism thrown in, the novel also deals with archetypes representing the struggle between innocence and corruption; transition from boyhood to manhood; the relationship between a boy and his distant father (a leopard in the body of a man); self-empowerment through the gifts of our ancestors (the muti bag); and the transcendent victory of a noble spirit (the lightning bird). An exciting and symbolic narrative that is sure to appeal to young readers and adults alike.

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