“The most moving book I have read since Ishiguro’s
 
The Remains of the Day

RL, London

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About the Author

Karoo Plainsong

Inspiration for the book

The Music

The Karoo

The Town of Cradock

Buy Karoo Plainsong

Reviews

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Media - Print

Barbara Mutch

The author of Karoo Plainsong

Reviews

‘Writing rich and moving, redolent of the author’s passion for South Africa’
Lucie Whitehouse, author of
The Bed I Made & The House at Midnight

I found it gripping and moving. Its weaving of personal and political is skilfully achieved, the characterisation strong and convincing, the settings well realised. A real achievement”.

CA, Camberley, UK

“I have just turned the last page of your book and felt I must write and congratulate you on a splendid book. You write so evocatively and eloquently. It was so well researched. BRAVO”.

NR, London

Text Box: “Without a doubt my book of the year!  The storyline, the characters, the language and imagery still occupy my mind. I marvel at how you were able to enter the mind and heart of Ada and the townships...”

Congratulations on a fantastic achievement. You captured the Eastern Cape, and the ending was strong. It must have been very difficult to take the characters through all those momentous periods in history.

RH, Cape Town

I cried and rejoiced with Ada as her life unfolded. I had to remind myself that these injustices occurred while I was growing up in SA. A thought provoking and most enjoyable read!”

LA, South Africa

“I was totally absorbed in Barbara Mutch’s Karoo Plainsong”.

J, South Africa

“Congratulations, an uplifting story very sensitively and cleverly told. It will make a contribution towards ongoing healing in this lovely country”.

MS, Johannesburg

Text Box: “Your novel gives such depth of insight into both the physical and historical sweep of South Africa. Your characterisation seems masterly in its apparent simplicity”.
CK, Farnham, UK
Text Box: “I have just finished reading your book. I couldn't put it down. I found it very moving and reduced me to tears. I congratulate you on a book of which you can be proud”. 
AD, London
Text Box: “I read Karoo Plainsong before Christmas and couldn't put it down. What a fantastic achievement to produce such a well-written and thought-provoking book”.
LE, London 
Text Box: “If a book is very good, I read it twice— guess what, I am halfway through your book for a second time”.
MM, Cape Town
Text Box: “I am writing to congratulate you on having written a really great novel”
CS, Pyrford, UK
Text Box: There has only ever been 2 previous books that made me cry, Birdsong and Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, and now I have added yours to the list. I feel I have read a masterpiece”.
LD, Woking, UK
Text Box: “I literally couldn't put it down - and I feel like I've said good-bye to a friend. What a beautiful, heartbreaking and wonderful story.”
SJ, Wellington
Text Box: “Your book is a fantastic read, and a real treasure of South African writing. I believe that you have written a classic”. 
ML, London
Text Box: “I so enjoyed it, thank you very much Barbara. I found it really inspiring and agree with my daughter, when she said the characters wouldn’t leave her in peace.
JMS, London
Text Box: “I cried and rejoiced with Ada as her life unfolded. A thought provoking and most enjoyable read”.
S vd M, Australia