A haunting, Gothic tale

Karen Watkins|Published 1 year ago

Hout Bay author, Penny Haw, centre, with friends Oliver and Susan Dods, also from Hout Bay.

Hout Bay author of The Invincible Miss Cusp, Penny Haw was in conversation with Michael Boyd, who launched his debut novel, The Weight of Shade, at Exclusive Books Cavendish on Thursday June 5.

Published by Karavan Press, the book is described as a haunting, Gothic tale that explores the bearing of the past on our lives and whether we can ever escape the circumstances thrust upon us.

The story is about Agni, an orphaned boy, and Nikus, who has just finished high school, as their lives are bound together by the rural North West district they call home. They are caught between the worlds of imagination and reality, rumour and truth as they face their unknown futures.

The author’s mother, Jenny Boyd, of Johannesburg, left, with Jane Underwood, of Pinelands, and Shirley Scott, of Kenilworth.

Michael Bishop and Clare Ballard of Mowbray.

Romy Levesque and Dina Karnis, both from Rondebosch.

Jacky Smith, of Vredehoek, with Sam Landers, of Kenilworth.

Noeleen Murray, of Rondebosch; Paul Murray, of Rondebosch, and Kevin Foster, of Kenilworth.

Author Michael Boyd grew up in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. He now lives in Johannesburg and works as an English teacher. Having her book signed is Clare Ballard, of Mowbray.