Just Arrived…

These are some of the books our books editor received recently. They may be reviewed later

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The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

by Rachel Joyce (Doubleday)

When Harold Fry leaves home one morning to post a letter while his wife cleans the house, he has no idea he is about to walk from one end of the country to the other.

He’s not equipped to either – he has no hiking boots or compass or raincoat or even a cellphone.

All he knows is he must keep walking – to save someone’s life.

This is a story of a man’s journey across Britain to save a friend’s life, but also to find himself.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry has been shortlisted for the Exclusive Books Boeke Prize this year.

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Beastly Things

by Donna Leon (William Heinemann, R215)

A body is found floating in a canal in Venice and Commissario Brunetti is convinced he recognises the man.

But with no identification except the distinctive shoes he is wearing, the case cannot go forward.

Brunetti then remembers a farmers’ protest from the previous autumn and after sifting through footage of the protest, he begins to piece together a patchy story.

Acting on a fragile lead, Brunetti and Inspector Vianello set out to uncover the man’s identity.

Their investigation leads them to a slaughterhouse on the mainland, the origin of the crime, and a world of blackmail and corruption.

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Across a Bridge of Dreams

by Lesley Downer (Bantam Press, R215)

Across a Bridge of Dreams is an epic tale of love and war and is based on the true story of the “last samurai”.

It is 1870 in Japan when Taka and Nobu meet as children and fall in love.

But their relationship will test the limits of society.

After a bitter civil war, Japan is rapidly turning into a modern, unified country.

The old hatred between north and south is supposedly over, and commoners can apparently marry into any class.

Taka is from the powerful southern Satsuma clan which rules the country and her father is the leader of the new government.

Nobu is from the northern Aizu clan, massacred by the Satsuma in the civil war.

Reduced to poverty after the war, his family has sworn revenge on the Satsuma.

Taka and Nobu’s love is unacceptable to both families and has to be kept secret.

And then fate intervenes in another cruel way.

Many southern samurai, including Taka’s father, are disillusioned with the government.

He leaves Tokyo abruptly and returns to the south where the samurai are determined to reclaim their honour, status and swords.

When they rise in rebellion the government sends its army to put them down.

Nobu and his army have joined this new army, and his brothers see their chance for revenge against the Satsuma.

Nobu will have to fight and maybe kill Taka’s father and brother in the process, while Taka will have to choose between her family and the man she loves.

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Philida

by Andre Brink (Random House Struik, R215)

It is 1832 and the Cape is teeming with rumours about the liberation of the slaves.

Philida is the mother of four children by Francois Brink, the son of her master.

She decides to risk it all by lodging a complaint against Francois, who has reneged on his promise to set her free.

His father has ordered him to marry a white woman from a prominent Cape Town family, and Philida will be sold to owners up north.

Unwilling to accept this fate, she tests the limits of her freedom, and with the Muslim slave Labyn, she sets off on a journey across the wilderness on the banks of the Gariep River, to the far north of Cape Town.

This is the story of a woman’s determination to survive and be free.

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Scrumptious Food For Family and Friends

by Jane-Anne Hobbs (Struik Lifestyle, R260)

I don’t enjoy cooking every day. But I really enjoy preparing a feast every now and then for my family and friends – to their utter astonishment.

There’s nothing better than sitting around a dinner table enjoying a good meal and celebrating good family ties and friendships.

According to Jane-Anne Hobbs you don’t have to be an expert cook to produce heart-warming dishes – all that’s required is a bit of passion, patience and smart preparation in advance.

She has created more than 90 recipes designed to take the fuss out of home entertaining.

Whether you’re planning a laid-back get-together over a salad or a lavish spread with all the trimmings, there are going to be lots of new ideas in this book to inspire you.

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My 100 Favourite Herbs

by Margaret Roberts (Struik Nature, R220)

Margaret Roberts is a household name in the field of natural products that enhance health and well-being.

This book draws on her earlier work, adding to and updating information about the practice of growing herbs and using them in the kitchen, as well as to produce health and beauty products. - Meneesha Govender