Black Swan by Christopher Hope

Black Swan by Christopher Hope is a compact and compelling work of South African fiction by one of the country’s distinguished novelists and satirists. Originally published by Hutchinson in 1987, this edition was issued by Arena / Arrow Books in 1988 as part of the Arena Novella series.

Set against the social and political landscape of South Africa, Black Swan brings the seemingly refined world of classical ballet into striking contrast with the realities of township life. Black Swan centres on the arrival of Swan Lake in a South African township and explores an encounter between a young German woman and a black South African youth. Through this unusual premise, Christopher Hope examines cultural collision, innocence, race and the contradictions of life under apartheid.

Hope was born in Johannesburg and established an international reputation for fiction characterised by sharp observation, satire and an often darkly lyrical treatment of South African society. His earlier novel Kruger’s Alp won the Whitbread Prize for Fiction, and his writing occupies an important place in late twentieth-century South African literature.

This 1988 Arena paperback edition is particularly suitable for collectors and readers interested in South African literature, apartheid-era fiction, literary novellas and the work of Christopher Hope. Its relatively short novella format makes Black Swan an accessible introduction to Hope’s writing while retaining the political and social themes for which his fiction is known.

Condition – Good 

Covers show light general handling and shelf wear, with some age-related marking. Pages appear clean and the binding remains intact. There is a previous owner’s handwritten name/inscription on the preliminary page.