Sarah Cohen reviews Firepool by Hedley Twidle
Truly and proudly South African, Hedley Twidle’s writing as an essayist brings his book Firepool to life.
Twidle is a writer, teacher and scholar with much of his current work centred on life-writing, non-fiction narrative and essay in the 21st century.
Twidle blends his astute knowledge of contemporary South Africa and playfully brings nine essay topics to print spanning span culture, ideas and themes.
Firepool is a chronicle of South Africa in the “second transition” – one in which the foundations of the post-apartheid settlement are being shaken and questioned.
I would never have thought my attention could be captured as much as it was when reading an essay about the N2. Yes, an essay about the road.
Essay topics range from the N2, music, Verwoerd’s assassination and racism to that infamous swimming pool at Nkandla.
He tastefully, and with dark humour, speaks of Moses Taiwa Molelekwa, JM Coetzee and the #FeesMustFall protests.
The essays which make for interesting, yet easy reading, can be read as stand-alone pieces. Every topic, albeit serious, is handled thoughtfully and is fresh on the palates of those who have read much of this type of South African literature. Firepool by Hedley Twidle is published by Kwela.