Troy Blacklaws’ African football fable sold to Donzelli in Italy
December 18, 2009
Ahead of South Africa's hosting of the 2010 World Cup, Troy Blacklaws, author of the acclaimed novels KAROO BOY and BLOOD ORANGE, has written a charming story of a soccer-crazy boy, who has a crazy dream…Beautifully illustrated by Andrew Stooke, BAFANA BAFANA: A Story of Soccer, Magic and Mandela is a gift book to appeal to all ages. Jacana have published in South Africa, and in Italy Donzelli have won an auction for Italian rights. Donzelli, who do an array of elegant illustrated books, are also the publishers of NELSON MANDELA'S FAVOURITE AFRICAN FOLK TALES.In BAFANA BAFANA, young Pele the dreamer sets out resolutely on a journey from his poor rural village in South Africa, with little more than a pair of his grandfather's shoes to his name. He travels hundreds of kilometres from his homestead on the plains of the Eastern Cape to the rising "dark jungle" of central Cape Town to achieve his one and only life-long goal - to watch Bafana Bafana, and Sibusiso Zuma, play soccer.
BAFANA BAFANA is not only a book about football (or soccer, as South Africans call it), it is also a book about having dreams and chasing them. It is a book about making your own way in the world no matter what the cost, and about the people we meet along the way who help us realise our dreams.
South African author Troy Blacklaws now lives in Singapore. KAROO BOY has been sold in 7 countries and optioned for film.
Praise for BAFANA BAFANA:
'My children wouldn't let me stop reading BAFANA BAFANA because they were so eager to know what happens next to Pele. We were all taken up by the charm and the magic and the suspense. The artwork is not a mere illustration to the story but has artistic impact in its own right.'
- Zakes Mda
Praise for KAROO BOY:
'KAROO BOY is a wonderful, stylish read. With his supple and inventive use of language, Blacklaws creates fully realized characters and vivid imagery that shimmers against a stark backdrop. This is writing not only to enjoy but to admire.'
-- John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Author website