The Burning Land

Product Information

I haven't been back to South Africa since shortly after the regime change in the mid-1990s and so I enjoyed (and was depressed) but this book that explores layers of corruption in the political scene. That role followed ten years as a foreign correspondent, covering the 9/11 attacks on New York, the genocide in Rwanda, civil wars in Liberia, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone, and Nelson Mandela’s presidency. Its precious land is being sold off to the highest bidders while the country’s corrupt elite pocket the profits. Africa has a special place in my heart, both personally and professionally, as I spent my primary school years living in Ghana.

George Alagiah | Media | The Guardian George Alagiah | Media | The Guardian

Shortly after meeting with Kagiso, his body is found – mutilated, clothing scattered, but nothing was stolen. Heidi Klum reveals behind-the-scenes look of THAT Peacock Halloween costume (which took SIX HOURS to complete! Increasingly isolated, she spends a lot of the day in pyjamas, listening out for Harriet, her glamorous, party-giving neighbour, and envying her.When Lesedi Motlantshe who personifies the new South Africa, is murdered in the province of Mpumalanga, who is responsible for his murder and why is added to the growing list of the countries problems. Princess Leonor's family album: Spanish royals release intimate photos charting future Queen's path from.

The Burning Land by George Alagiah | Waterstones The Burning Land by George Alagiah | Waterstones

This is a superb novel that shows just how complex the situation was (and still is) and brings forth the longing of many for South Africa to forge a new identity and move forward towards a more stable and prosperous future.The novel is very well written and depicts the country and it’s people so vividly it is easy to picture and it has an authentic feel. At times the story is incidental with the author's vivid descriptions of life from people in the townships to the wealthy men. It explores race, class, power, corruption, violence, land reform, greed, how money really is the root of all evil and how this all fits together to tell the story of post-apartheid SA. This is a fascinating political thriller of high calibre which looks at a changing South Africa although some problems remain the same.

The Burning Land - Alagiah, George: 9781786897947 - AbeBooks The Burning Land - Alagiah, George: 9781786897947 - AbeBooks

The pair pass the narrative baton between them for a largely successful foray into Girl on the Train territory, replete with jealousy, stalking, gaslighting and control-freakery, although habitual readers of psychological thrillers may find the reveal, when it comes, to be something of a let-down. With the shocking murder of one of the country’s bright young hopes, the fuse is well and truly lit.The plot, which also involves Headley’s son and Matheson’s daughter, is somewhat contrived, but Barclay does a good job of keeping all the characters in play in a proficient thriller that presses all the right buttons. With the shocking murder of one of the country's bright young hopes, the fuse is well and truly lit. Perhaps due to his day job, Alagiah is a little too liberal with exposition, particularly at the first third of the book. In particular, the question of whether anything has actually changed or whether merely what were once primarily wealthy white men climbing the ladder of corruption have now turned to black. I wish to extend my thanks to NetGalley and Canongate Books for this informative and insightful political thriller.