Are We There Yet?: Chasing a Childhood Through South Africa

by David Smiedt

In 2003, David Smiedt began a journey of discovery around South Africa. As a child his parents had taken him on endless car journeys to teach him the history of their country and tell him about his relatives and the places they had inhabited. 30 years later, he sets out to retrace those journeys but it soon turns into a love letter to his native country.This is a beautifully written travel book, with the most fantastic sense of smell, sight and sound. David also provides a real insight into the countries people describing how they have been shaped over the years by politics and migrants.

Genres: Africa, Travel, South Africa, Nonfiction, History

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Ann Tonks]

This book was written 10 years after the end of the apartheid regime in South Africa and I wanted to read to it get some insights into how the country had changed since I'd last been there in 1995. It's a book of warmth and heart. The author, originally from SA, returned to visit the places that were important to him as he grew up. He combines autobiography with history, some great landscape descriptions and some rather overwrought but amusing commentary on aspects of the country and its people. It's a story of sadness in many ways but still, as the author says at the end, a love letter to South Africa.

[Kangelani]

Glad I migrated when I did. This reminds me of why I should not mourn the loss. Some great memories but also that country is still a tragedy.

[Apalmos]

This is more a travel guide through South Africa, interspersed with a history lesson, than a journey through the author's childhood. David Smiedt writes well (for a 30-something ex-South African!), but at times I found his writing a little self-conscious and too eager to impress with adjectives. The book is still very readable, sweet and funny.

[John]

I felt Smiedt did a good job balancing being serious and funny. The travel aspect was interesting in showing how far many of the places he'd visited as a child had declined. For another view of the new South Africa by an emigrant (also Jewish, but older) try The Electronic Elephant by Dan Jacobson.

[Summer Edwards]

I wasn't a huge fan of the author's writing style, but I did enjoy the insights into modern South Africa. It was certainly interesting enough that it sparked my interest in reading more about South Africa and South African literature which I is a compliment to the author

[NoahB]

I have finished reading this book at around page 95. This book is not my style of book and I didn't enjoy it to much because these types of books do not entertain me.

[Redbear]

Some funny moments but really meant for Aussie humour. Did not finish the book.