The Return offers a contemplative, steady-paced experience for readers who appreciate novels that attend to the mechanics of reunion and the moral dilemmas embedded in coming home. It will particularly resonate with anyone who has experienced displacement, reconciliation or the slow remapping of belonging over time.
Author
James Ambrose Brown
Publish Date
1971
Cover Type
Hardcover
Condition
Very Good
Lightly shelf worn dust jacket, unclipped. Ink inscription on front end page. Very light foxing of text block edges.
1 in stock
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Book Description
The Return is a richly felt novel of homecoming and the uneasy reconciliation of past and present. The protagonist comes back to a homeland transformed by social and political change, and the narrative explores how memory, identity and belonging are reshaped when the familiar no longer fits. Brown frames his story against a landscape of social transition—rifts between generations, shifting economic realities and the persistence of unresolved personal histories—so that the act of returning becomes an ethical and emotional endeavour rather than a mere geographic movement. Bibliographic records list the Purnell Cape Town edition from 1971.
Brown’s prose pays attention to interior nuance, rendering the small recognitions that mark the distance between who one was and who one has become. Relationships once rooted in routine are tested by the returnee’s changed outlook; childhood landmarks are reframed by new memories and silences; and the community’s expectations do not always match the returning figure’s needs. Through encounters with friends, estranged family members and local institutions, the narrative probes questions of culpability, forgiveness and the practical work of finding a place again in a life that moved on without you.
The novel reads as both a social portrait and a psychological study, balancing evocative setting with humane characterisation. The Return offers a contemplative, steady-paced experience for readers who appreciate novels that attend to the mechanics of reunion and the moral dilemmas embedded in coming home. It will particularly resonate with anyone who has experienced displacement, reconciliation or the slow remapping of belonging over time.
What an amazing shop. And for an indecisive shopper, Robert Cronje’s service selling a book set online that I’d seen in the shop when on holiday and not bought was simply impressive. The book set was wrapped so well it arrived via courier without damage.
Another collector (Fynn Lee) had warned us in advance to prepare a lot of time to browse this massive collection, and he was right! The size of the collection is simply immense. But it's still well organized!
We had a blast hunting for cool books here. We actually spent over three hours here, thoroughly enjoying ourselves as we went through these cool books.
We found so many great books at Midlands. We bought far too many to travel home with, but they were kind enough to ship our books back home for us (overseas).
A real hidden gem for collectors of hard to get books. I was able to get a rare book I was looking for, and for a great price. The people who run this are very nice and was able to get my book shipped very quickly, despite having to have it shipped internationally to here in the states.
Stepping inside this bookstore was a delight! It immediately ranks among the best I've ever experienced. The care and dedication of the owner is palpable. It's the kind of place you could happily get lost in for hours. If you're nearby, this is an absolute must-visit. I can't recommend it enough.
An absolute pleasure to deal with Robert, at Midlands Books and Collectables. My books were extremely well packaged and protected, and shipping was super quick. I received my books 2 days after payment cleared. I will definitely be buying from them again, and highly recommend them.
Patrick
I recently bought a book online from Midlands Books and the experience was great! Robert was very helpful and shipped the book to Spain. The book was a rare find and in pristine conditions! Would recommend 100%!
Absolutely INCREDIBLE treasure trove of the most collectible books, coins and artifacts I’ve seen and absolutely worth the trip out to the Old Mushroom Farm to visit this gem - you could get let in the store for a week and still not get to see everything! Incredible service to match the selection! A must see and worthy of the five stars and more!
Excellent service from Midlands Books. They searched for books and ordered books in for me. I’ll definitely be doing business with them again in future.
We discovered Midlands books and collectibles at the old mushroom farm and at horse shoe bend. You can spend hours browsing the incredible selection of books. The vast array of bird books is definitely worth the visit.
I discovered the most enchanting magical bookshop – a true hidden gem! The moment you step inside, you’re surrounded by shelves that seem to stretch into other worlds, filled with every kind of story imaginable. From secret passageways to cozy reading nooks, this shop has it all, creating an atmosphere that feels like stepping into a fairytale. The staff are as knowledgeable as they are welcoming, always ready to recommend your next great adventure. It’s not just a place to buy books; it’s a doorway to other world with the incredible domed roof of the mushroom farm. A must-visit for any book lover!
Utterly enchanting, in a unique and magical setting (an old mushroom farm tunnel in the beautiful, wooded Midlands Meander). This is hands-down one of the best bookstores I've ever perused (I'm serious about books and work for a major publishing house).
The selection is incredible; I visited from Oxford (England) and was amazed at the very old, rare and precious gems on offer - books that would be snaffled up by auctioneers and collectors too quickly to even set eyes upon in the UK are waiting here at unbelievably good prices.
There is something for every interest and price point; this is both a solid second-hand bookshop as well as collectible store. The owner was so friendly and took time to show my family and I some of the oldest, largest, and most unusual items in the collection. We were dazzled by a poetry book from the Renaissance period; signed first editions of books from authors as diverse as Douglas Adams and Muhammed Ali; antique children's illustrated books and even a hand-coloured illustrated South African bird book. The owner also had an impressive coin / currency collection which was fascinating to view.
If the literature or objets d'art were not enough, there was also a delightfully cosy dog (pictured) - irresistible! I walked away a very happy customer and will go out my way to visit again when I'm next in South Africa.
Wow! Amazing diversity of previously owned and collectible books. I enjoyed the section on books about birds and birding - several shelves worth - just on this topic - including many rare and classic texts.
The Return
R150.00
The Return offers a contemplative, steady-paced experience for readers who appreciate novels that attend to the mechanics of reunion and the moral dilemmas embedded in coming home. It will particularly resonate with anyone who has experienced displacement, reconciliation or the slow remapping of belonging over time.
1 in stock
The Return is a richly felt novel of homecoming and the uneasy reconciliation of past and present. The protagonist comes back to a homeland transformed by social and political change, and the narrative explores how memory, identity and belonging are reshaped when the familiar no longer fits. Brown frames his story against a landscape of social transition—rifts between generations, shifting economic realities and the persistence of unresolved personal histories—so that the act of returning becomes an ethical and emotional endeavour rather than a mere geographic movement. Bibliographic records list the Purnell Cape Town edition from 1971.
Brown’s prose pays attention to interior nuance, rendering the small recognitions that mark the distance between who one was and who one has become. Relationships once rooted in routine are tested by the returnee’s changed outlook; childhood landmarks are reframed by new memories and silences; and the community’s expectations do not always match the returning figure’s needs. Through encounters with friends, estranged family members and local institutions, the narrative probes questions of culpability, forgiveness and the practical work of finding a place again in a life that moved on without you.
The novel reads as both a social portrait and a psychological study, balancing evocative setting with humane characterisation. The Return offers a contemplative, steady-paced experience for readers who appreciate novels that attend to the mechanics of reunion and the moral dilemmas embedded in coming home. It will particularly resonate with anyone who has experienced displacement, reconciliation or the slow remapping of belonging over time.
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