Mar/Apr 2025 | Always Another Country by Sisonke Msimang

[Anetq, Tour Operator & Guide]

This thread is for the Mar/Apr 2025 read of Always Another Country by Sisonke Msimang.
As this month had an equal amount of interest in the three books I've set up threads for all of them, but not a separate spoiler/non-spoiler thread - just the one :)
Feel free to discuss book editions, availability, expectations, impressions and thoughts!

[George P.]

Thanks Anet, I have a copy of this and look forward to starting in next few days.

[K]

Thanks from me,also. I've just begun reading it and think its quite good.

[World]

Dear all,

Please read the question I asked to the post for "All Your Children, Scattered by Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse."

It applies to all three books, so I avoided pasting it here.

Thanks.

[Anetq, Tour Operator & Guide]

Hi George & K - Any progress? What do you think of it?

[George P.]

I'm just past halfway through the book now, and have enjoyed reading the story. It actually "reads fast" as I sometimes say, but I've been reading several other books including a very long one (Infinite Jest by D F Wallace). Her descriptions of her time as a US undergrad in Minnesota and how the American civil rights struggle affected her was particularly interesting to me.
I might finish it within a week or two.

[George P.]

I finished about 4 days ago. Msimang has had a fascinating but not an easy life and she tells her story very well. She grew up in Zambia, Kenya and Canada and then lived in the US and South Africa. She doesn't fail to be critical of her errors and also criticizes others at times, including the South African ANC, of which her grandfather was a charter member/cofounder. She has an interesting TED talk available on streaming video. I bought my copy for $4 used online.

[K]

George P. wrote: "I finished about 4 days ago. Msimang has had a fascinating but not an easy life and she tells her story very well. She grew up in Zambia, Kenya and Canada and then lived in the US and South Africa...." I agree, her honesty shines through in her writing; a powerful voice telling her story/what she observes.