Religion, power and secrets best kept
‘Invisible Strings’ by Naledi Mashishi
Blending the supernatural and the horrifically real into a tale of family, loss, religion, power and secrets best kept, South African author Naledi Mashishi's debut ‘Invisible Strings’ introduces us to Kgethi Pule and her daughter Thato.
Despite her mother's indifference to parenting and the family squabbles she's constantly surrounded by, Thato grows into a remarkable little girl - one with powers that range from seeing the dead to healing by touch.
When power-hungry young pastor Solomon Khumalo discovers Thato's powers and makes Kgethi an offer she can't - but really should - refuse, things take increasingly dark turns until we find out just how absolutely Solomon's new-found power and wealth have corrupted him.
‘Invisible Strings’ is not my usual read, but I'm so glad I picked it up. Mashishi beautifully weaves an authentically African story that spans 40 years (if you include the epilogue, which is written 10 years later) and has so many layers.
The novel casts a critical - but not at all dishonest - eye on modern churches and things done in the name of religion, and I'll keep thinking about the subtle points made about alcoholism and communication between mothers and daughters for a long time.
There aren't many ‘negatives’, per se, but I do think the fact the story is prefaced with the idea that Kgethi is spoiled and self-absorbed but that that doesn't translate well until later in the novel could have been tweaked a bit.
It also bothered me that we never learn what really happened to Dineo, but sometimes it’s like that in real life too. Finally, there are a few things that slipped through during editing and proof-reading, especially on the back cover, and honestly, ‘Invisible Strings’ deserved better. But overall, it’s a great read and an excellent debut.
RATING: 4/5
‘Invisible Strings’ was longlisted for the 2022 Sunday Times Literary Awards for fiction. It is available at Windhoek Book Den for N$295. Call 061 239 976 to secure a copy.
Cindy van Wyk is an eternal bookworm who shares reviews and other bookish content @lovereadingxo on Instagram, where this review was originally published.
- [email protected]
Despite her mother's indifference to parenting and the family squabbles she's constantly surrounded by, Thato grows into a remarkable little girl - one with powers that range from seeing the dead to healing by touch.
When power-hungry young pastor Solomon Khumalo discovers Thato's powers and makes Kgethi an offer she can't - but really should - refuse, things take increasingly dark turns until we find out just how absolutely Solomon's new-found power and wealth have corrupted him.
‘Invisible Strings’ is not my usual read, but I'm so glad I picked it up. Mashishi beautifully weaves an authentically African story that spans 40 years (if you include the epilogue, which is written 10 years later) and has so many layers.
The novel casts a critical - but not at all dishonest - eye on modern churches and things done in the name of religion, and I'll keep thinking about the subtle points made about alcoholism and communication between mothers and daughters for a long time.
There aren't many ‘negatives’, per se, but I do think the fact the story is prefaced with the idea that Kgethi is spoiled and self-absorbed but that that doesn't translate well until later in the novel could have been tweaked a bit.
It also bothered me that we never learn what really happened to Dineo, but sometimes it’s like that in real life too. Finally, there are a few things that slipped through during editing and proof-reading, especially on the back cover, and honestly, ‘Invisible Strings’ deserved better. But overall, it’s a great read and an excellent debut.
RATING: 4/5
‘Invisible Strings’ was longlisted for the 2022 Sunday Times Literary Awards for fiction. It is available at Windhoek Book Den for N$295. Call 061 239 976 to secure a copy.
Cindy van Wyk is an eternal bookworm who shares reviews and other bookish content @lovereadingxo on Instagram, where this review was originally published.
- [email protected]
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