Touch: Stories of Contact

by Karina Magdalena Szczurek (Editor), Lauren Beukes (Contributor), Liesl Jobson (Contributor)

For this unique and impressive anthology, some of South Africa 's top storytellers were invited to interpret the theme of touch. The result is a scintillating collection of twenty-two stories about all kinds of human interaction. There are tales of love lost, and of newfound intimacy. Some describe encounters with strangers, others explore family relationships. Most deal with touch in a physical and emotional sense; one or two consider the idea of keeping in touch . Between them the authors have won two Caine Prizes, one PEN Award, three Alan Paton Awards, two Sunday Times Fiction Prizes, two M-Net Literary Awards, several CNA Awards, a Commonwealth Writer 's Prize (Africa Region), one Booker Prize, and the Nobel Prize in Literature.Touch: Stories of Contact brings us work from such established luminaries as Andr Brink, Nadine Gordimer, Damon Galgut and Ivan Vladislavic, as well as exciting new voices such as Alistair Morgan and Julia Smuts Louw. Whether poignant or light-hearted, fictional or autobiographical, these innovative stories remind us of the preciousness of touch and are a testimony to the creative talents of South Africa 's writers. All the authors have agreed to donate their royalties to the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC). Every copy sold therefore contributes to the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Genres: South Africa, African Literature

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2010

About the author

Karina Magdalena Szczurek is the author and (co)editor of numerous works of fiction and non-fiction. She won the HSS Award for Best Fiction Edited Volume in 2024. She also received the Thomas Pringle Award for a portfolio of ad hoc reviews from the English Academy of Southern Africa in 2018 and won the MML Literature Award in the Category English Drama in 2012. She is a board member of Short Story Day Africa. In 2019, she founded Karavan Press, an independent publishing house, and a year later, she established the Philida Literary Award. She lives in Cape Town.

Reviews

[Tamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short stories about the touch of other human beings. Are touch can influence and change us. Some of the stories I preferred to others. Human touch is so crucial. Being COVID 19 currently with less hugs etc. One realises the importance of simple human touch

[Fiona Ayerst · Rating 4 out of 5]

great little selection of incredible writers. Superb to read when time is limited but you want to finish off a full story before sleep......

[Lizanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this collection. Touching and great insight into South Africa. I can recommend it to all!

[Tiah]

Sensual and diverse short stories which linger long after they've been read. A worthy addition to any home library.