I am delighted to inform you that my latest novel AZANIA FAREWELL is (likely to be) published before the end of the year. This is big stuff.
You may have read two thirds of this book already if you’ve read Umfaan’s Heroes and Laszlo’s Millions. The big news is, finally, the third part of what was always meant to be a trilogy – third book entitled ‘Celine‘ – has been completed and included with the other two in one big fat beautiful volume.
It happened like this: last century Andre Deutsch published Umfaan’s Heroes to much media blah blah in both the UK and Apartheid South Africa, where I hope it infuriated the Masters of Racism, and delighted many who suffered at their hands. In this novel Tom grows up white and Jewish in the mad mad world of the Afrikaner hegemony, the rule by fear and guns by 3 million whites of 15 million Blacks. Terror, fear, secret police. Also satire and comedy.
The sequel, Laszlo’s Millions trotted out of my electric typewriter in hot pursuit and annoyed just about everybody lacking a sense of humour or love of justice. Tom has fled to London where he is recruited by BOSS, the South African secret police, to infiltrate Anti-Apartheid activists. Tom is, as one would expect, a double agent who has rather too many hobbies including drugs, sex and the possibility of inheriting millions from a mad Hungarian Count.
Deutsch dutifully published the book, and then went bust, Not my fault! Blame God if there is one, who decided to take the great Andre Deutsch unto himself, which meant that all of Deutsch was asset stripped and closed down. Gone, great and noble House! Publisher of greats like VS Naipaul, John Updike, Jack Kerouac, Norman Mailer, Howard Fast, and little me.
Which meant zero future for the half-written third part of the trilogy, Celine.
I snatched the copyrights of Umfaan’s and Laszlo’s from the buyers of the catalogue and published both in paperback. They are available still in paperback and Kindle as well as the other ebook formats.
I went on to other things, mainly teaching which is another great way to make people laugh and cry. And an opportunity to show off a bit. I liked it.
As time proceeded (despite all my attempts) I got to know how to do it. Within, of course, the constraints and straitjacket imposed by Government, Goves, headless head teachers etc. They gave me awards. But nothing they could do helped me shake off my impostor syndrome. There I was pretending to be a teacher (also, I should add, a Karate sensei which was much more fun) when all I am – everything. Flesh, bones, spirit. All I am. Is a fucking Writer, with a capital W. No point pretending any more.
So tentatively in my spare time I wrote and self-published Sally’s Road about how my dear Aunt might not have died of cancer. And sat back, waiting in vain for applause. Waiting, in short, for someone to read it. I don’t think anyone did.
With a sigh I tackled finishing and editing Celine, the third part of my trilogy. It tied and tangled me up. It’s a great ‘whatif’ book. What if Mandela – and most of the greats of the Anti-apartheid movement – were assassinated by the evil demons who ran the white racist state of South Africa. What? Dystopia, sure. And a country divided into warring states. Add Tom to the mix. Addled, bedraggled, ill-used Tom and his girlfriend, the croupier Celine from Geneva.
Written! Edited. Offered to my wonderful Publisher who said YES. Let’s put out all three books in one. Genius.
And it’s a blockbuster, a doorstopper, a brick, a possible weapon or even a shield. If you’re likely to be shot at, place a copy of Azania Farewell between you and the assassin and you may die happy. (What a silly image.)
I’m so looking forward to this book’s launch and I really hope you are too.
DECEMBER 2026.
WORK IN PROGRESS
I hope you have, by now, read my latest novel, RAGAZZO? My maddest ever excursion into the world of Baroque Opera, the book tells the story of the castrato Guido Suanestino Aka Guido Roccaporca, aka Annaliese Weinhoffer, etc etc. Mass murderer and the greatest singer in the world. If you loved Susskind’s ‘Perfume’ you’ll dab this one all over you. (Another silly image.)
And the sequel is on its way! Tentative working title Diva, the book follows Guido’s escape from the Handel Festival and his adventures through Switzerland, Germany and finally, Naples. It’s a tour through 1920’s Europe when Fascism was born and preparing itself for the same sort of mayhem it’s preparing itself for now. Publication date not yet decided. Soon! Promise.
I still love you.
Leave a Reply