Susan Stead reviews TELL ME YOUR STORY, by Ruda Landman, published by Tafelberg, R285
Journalist Ruda Landman, whose picture is on the book’s cover, is instantly recognisable as the face of 19 years of Carte Blanche reports, as well as more recent TV interview shows.
She has compiled the edited transcriptions of a series of website interviews with a diverse group of South African personalities and the KykNet series, Verander Dinge, into this book.
It is a diverse group that Landman has chosen to showcase.The book opens with an interview with Port Elizabeth’s own theatre star, John Kani, and includes comedian Marc Lottering, politician Patricia de Lille, cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro (Zapiro), rap star ProVerb and others.
The fascinating aspect of the book is hearing about these different personalities’ backgrounds, their struggles, their hopes and plans.
The consummate skill of Landman as an interviewer who draws out her subjects is apparent, as is her skill as an editor in putting together the interviews as printed words that flow.
An insightful compilation that is a fascinating read.