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Protea Boekhuis

@ Sunday Times Books LIVE

Karina M Szczurek’s Invisible Others Launched at The Book Lounge with SA Partridge

by Protea Boekhuis on Mar 19th, 2014

Sally Partridge and Karina Szczurek

At the launch of Karina Szczurek’s debut novel, Invisible Others, at The Book Lounge last week, this most welcome addition to the South African literary canon received high praise from those in the know. “It is a beautifully written novel,” said an Mervyn Sloman, “in a spare style that is simultaneously lavish – it must be the French connection!” Sloman said the characters are fully drawn with the author sustaining a “wonderful novelistic tease” that keeps one turning the page. “This book is an absolute gift to us!” he said.

Karina SzczurekInvisible OthersSzczurek was joined in conversation by the talented YA novelist, Sally Partridge, who confirmed Sloman’s assessment of Invisible Others as “beautiful”. She introduced Szczurek as an author who wore many hats – an academic, editor, essayist, poet and an award-winning playwright. She said the book is an intense study on the nature of damaging relationships and asked Szczurek why she chose to write about this topic.

“I’m not sure I chose this subject,” said Szczurek. “I suspect the subject chose me, as I have always been fascinated by our inability as human beings to communicate with each other. One of my greatest quests in life is to communicate with the people that are dear to me. And writing is a way of doing this.” She said the novel explores the damaging effect of the failure of communication and the way in which we use writing to avoid the pitfalls of disconnection.

She said, “One of my fascinations has been with the kind of relationships we form, but that we can’t then enjoy the wondrousness of every day. Most of us are suckers for suffering, unable to enjoy the simple things in life. Many people have difficulties articulating their passion, unable to express themselves, unable to share their desires and dreams.”

Partridge led the author in a fascinating discussion that kept all in the audience intrigued. A long queue of fans waited for the author to sign their book. Each one left with a personalised message, a clear communication of the author’s appreciation for their attention to her words.

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Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) tweeted from the launch using #livebooks:

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Cats: Events, Fiction, South Africa
Tags: Book Launches, English, Events, Fiction, Invisible Others, Karina M Szczurek, Mervyn Sloman, Protea, Protea Boekhuis, SA Partridge, South Africa, The Book Lounge
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