Author: Penny Haw
Publisher: Koehler Books
Reviewer: Gail Gilbride
​In the Tsitsikamma region of South Africa, a hiking group are separated due to a sudden, unexpected flood. Clare, the youngest member, is critically injured and finds herself being taken care of by the anxious Faye.
The two women embark on a surprising journey of discovery, while the other members of the group struggle to survive the raging river. 
Penny Haw immerses us in the rugged wilderness on every level. I found myself resonating with the landscape, as well as with the unfolding drama amongst the group of old friends. Haw’s charming writing and deep connection with nature, are coupled with an understanding of how humans and animals tick.  
The author skillfully intertwines the challenging physical journey with the inner worlds of her characters. Many demons are faced and Haw does not shy away from confronting them.
The unlikely friendship which develops between Clare and the seemingly fragile Faye, is deftly handled. Penny Haw nudges uncomfortable truths to the surface and brings the sometimes chilling wilderness right into our hearts.

their respective lovers, partners and family members, located variously in London, where the ‘action’ takes place, in South Africa where there’s the fall out and in Trinidad and Tobago where….well, let me not explain too much, you’ll need to work it out for yourself. But none of these characters is without issues.
Just some of the issues worked through, with each of the characters individually, are, alcoholism (remember the liver transplant), AA meetings and feelings of worthlessness. There’s fatherlessness and all the attendant resentment and anger. There are relationships of all sorts, gay and straight, faithful and otherwise – there are also medical morals as well as artistic jealousy. But over and above all of this, there is a huge amount of information on – well all kinds of things - cultures, language, passions, prejudices, perceptions and misperceptions. Lisa-Anne herself is originally from Trinidad and Tobago. She’s lived in New York and London before making Jo’burg her home. That she has a wealth of lived experience and plenty words and wisdom to share is in absolutely no doubt – but it’s complicated. I take my hat off to her for a huge task masterfully tackled.  ​

​from hunger she was rescued by ‘the girl in the blue uniform’. The girl that she dreams one day to become. The ‘girl’ worked for the United Nations. It was a long and difficult journey but Elizabeth eventually realized that dream, and went on to become senior advisor on gender equality to the United Nations. In that role she was also head of the global, ground-breaking HeForShe movement designed to encourage men to play an active role in achieving gender quality.
But in these days where so many seek self-enrichment, hers is a truly inspiring story of a genuine commitment to uplifting others by first uplifting yourself.
In this book, which she dedicates to her ‘dearest Gogo’ and her indomitable spirit as well as to Africa, her ‘beloved continent’, she moves between her childhood and adult journeys. So she begins in the rural, famine and HIV-ravaged village of Goromonzi in Zimbabwe where she lives with her grandmother who teaches her all the values of the African soil. She later meets her own Amai and Baba (mother and father) and goes to live with Uncle Sam and Aunt Jane, a childless couple who educate, elevate and cherish her.
Her quest to join the UN takes her to London, to a dreggy hostel and dreggier work until miraculously, a chink in all the barriers against her, not least having no university degree, opens up and her journey into the heart of the UN begins. She meets a number of mentors and role models, primary amongst them Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, executive director of UN Women. She travels to Geneva, New York, across the world meeting communities and heads of state alike and effecting change wherever she can. There are some amazing breakthroughs – in 2018 20,000 child marriages were annulled in Malawi, and some heartbreaking moments – she describes hugging one of two-week old twin girls whose teenage mother, victim of an enforced, abusive marriage, in desperation hung herself from a tree.  
There are so many stories and anecdotes, wisdoms and experiences woven in and written in a style so tender as to almost make it sound lovely. But I suspect that’s as a result of Elizabeth’s own caring nature, committed as she is to the spirit of ubuntu.
Interesting to know that she also studied Political Science at London School of Economics, attended Harvard Business School and is also the founder of Africa IQ, a nonprofit that aims to contribute to Africa's economic growth and development. She really is the one who has both roots and wings.

match the significance of her stories, ebbing to allow one to think through her narrative. ‘Isle ‘is her latest offering and she says the theme is ‘Making a place for yourself’ and ‘The cost of carving this out but also the unexpected freedoms that this brings. ‘
Isle was a challenging yet ultimately satisfying read. Splitting into two stories that cross centuries we meet two women in very different worlds depicted through using two different writing styles.
In the medieval world of 1289 when the first story ‘Forth from this place’ is set, she writes with meticulous construction, speaking of a slower time, creating a very different era.
“On that main river the sometimes steeper banks and betimes incredible breadth, and the fierce castles imitating rock, impress the visitor with their force, and people’s doings are by contrast small.’
It is almost another language but not quite, as careful reading defines the meaning. I did however have to look up words like ‘sennight’, meaning week, amongst others but her use of present tense throughout brings the reader firmly into each time frame and this is Robertson’s strength. This island is home to a group of unmarried women, ‘semi-nuns’, - inspired by the Beguine communities of the 13th Century – they are led by their magistra Lutgard.  Unrecognised by the church, they have chosen to unbind themselves from the men who would shackle them; to seek a freedom from the expected norm of the time. But it is Mechthild, artist and sculptor, to whom we are drawn. It is she who finds the young man stranded on the beach, she who sees his face as that of a perfect Christ model but in the end, she who carves a larger than life Virgin that becomes her masterwork and her freedom.  Her story will resonate as she uses unfamiliar tools and teaches herself the man’s trade of wood carver, a skill that Robertson herself has. Within the bounds of the story, of the isolation, privacy and celibacy the women have chosen, the emotions of desire and lust are fulfilled, despite the seeming separations.  This speaks to that very quote of Donne’s. 
UXO brings us to post World War ll, the early 1950s, and Second Lieutenant Lily Kinsella and Sergeant Burge on a mission to dismantle ordnance units in far flung places. On a tiny island somewhere north there is a munitions pile that will exacerbate their taut relationship.  As a wartime flight nurse Kinsella’s experiences have marked her and she seeks solace with men that cross her path but would never be permanent. There is a barely discernible vengeance in her actions, her debt to Burge ‘she owes him much, she owes him nothing’ outweighed by her own flaunted needs. As I navigated the story i was intrigued as to whether the unexploded munitions is an unspoken metaphor for unexploded emotions.
Robertson’s story takes you inward. It raises many questions and re-reading will be a given. As a woman i questioned my ‘freedom’, its cost and if I have truly been ‘myself’.  Hovering in this intense narrative, however, is that remaining isolated should never be the final choice. ​

with losing someone. This is a good story which will resonate with many, particularly during this time of so many losses.
When his older brother Patrick is drowned in a tragic accident, Daniel is wracked with guilt. If they hadn’t had that terrible row in the pub and if he hadn’t told him he was not welcome in his home, none of this would ever have happened. Daniel has always looked up to his older sibling. Good looking, happily married, three lovely kids, successful business man, Patrick had everything going for him. Daniel decides, as atonement for his perceived guilt, to take on Patrick’s responsibilities and support his sister-in-law Zoe and the three kids, Ethan, Gabe and Bea, in every way he can – this is his promise. Being the more serious of the brothers, an accountant with a job in the City he methodically puts together a spread sheet of activities.  On sabbatical from his job he has time to make good on his this project. He notes his ‘good deeds’ as he picks up the pieces of Patrick’s life thinking this may dull the pain. But as he unravels Patrick’s life the realisation that he was not as exemplary as everyone thought comes as a huge shock. Who is the mysterious L. Fox  Daniel’s integrity is being tested as he realises that the secrets he has uncovered will have a life altering effect on his whole family.  
But through grief there is growth and the passage of the story takes us subtly through the various stages. As the rather inhibited Dan restores his relationship with his parents, his role as an uncle takes on more meaning and his understanding of his brother’s failings are accepted.  He finds new friends and while the shock, hurt and anger remain we see a new Dan emerge, one with purpose and strength. Gently and with empathy Diamond shapes a telling tale that is realistic and moving.  And of course, as in all chick –lit love will find a way of creeping up on you (no, not Dan and Zoe!) There are wonderful moments of joy, humour and relief as the story unfolds.
Diamond’s keen observations of human nature are evident and she places her cast firmly on the ground as they experience this tragedy.  There are lessons to be learnt through every life experience and by the end of the book I felt that Diamond had clearly dealt with this as each character emerges from their grief to shape a new future.  ​