Seen from a standpoint in the 1990s, that time strikes Mart as probably the most ephemeral decade in the history of the world . A sound observation, perhaps, of the fashion, music and dance crazes, but in South Africa at least, one event was to have a lasting and indelible effect. The Soweto uprising of 1976, which comes as a total surprise to Mart and her friends, not only forms a climactic moment in the book, but alters both the country and the characters perception of it. Though this is not a specifically political novel, Van der Vyver subtly shows how politics do, in fact, underlie most of the action. Well, if they re doing that, they ll have a very good reason.
Childish Things tells a good story about characters who evoke one s sympathy.
The translation is smooth but vigorous, retaining a convincing South African flavour. Sprokie is a stage adaptation of Marita van der Vyver's much awarded 1992 novel.