In confronting an always emotive and controversial topic from as many angles as possible, it is the ideal book for any South African who has ever asked himself, Should I stay or should I go?
About the book:
2010 saw the release of a non-fiction title that is sure to stir the conversation at braais and dinner parties in South Africa and across the globe: Should I Stay Or Should I Go? Yes, it’s a song by The Clash, but it’s also a defining question for the modern Rainbow Nation and now, as a Two Dogs book, a collection of essays on emigration from South Africans based in South Africa and around the world.
Most South Africans with the means to pack up and leave have, at some point, thought about emigrating (even if it’s just to scoff at the idea), while popular wisdom suggests that more than a million South Africans have emigrated since the early 1990s, with many thousands having already left before that in the turbulent ’70s and ’80s.
Today, the issue is as topical and controversial as ever, with hardcore “stayers” and “leavers” forever clashing with each other (often online), while those in the middle – the majority – are left with unanswered questions.
Should I Stay Or Should I Go? is for those looking for guidance, information and empathy on the topic of emigration from people who’ve been there and done that – whether it’s stay or go. It is a collection of 15 essays by South Africans at home and abroad – some high-profile literary figures, others average everyday people – that combines a collection of subjective viewpoints to provide a broad overview of the emigration debate. It comes with an introduction from the editor, and three addendums: comparisons of the 14 most popular emigrant cities for South Africa, a discussion of the stresses of emigration and a sample of further reading on the topic.
The second reprint of this book is now available on www.Amazon.com
Books can also be ordered directly from Two Dogs books and payments made through Paypal.
About the authors:
Tim Richman is an author and publisher. He is the editor of Why I’ll Never Live In Oz Again, among other books.
The authors include high-profile literary figures such as André Brink, Jacob Dlamini and Kevin Bloom, award-winning journalists and writers, and a selection of man-in-the-street contributors with particularly interesting stories to tell. Half are currently living in South Africa, while the others are living in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.
Book specs:
Title: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Contributors: André Brink, Kevin Bloom, Jacob Dlamini, Kerry Rogers, Liz Butler, Sarah Britten, Sarah Penny, Anne Townsend, Daniel Ford, James Carolin, Ian Macdonald, Gillian Tucker, Barry Levy, Louie Cowan, Ted Botha, Jenni Baxter.
ISBN: 978-1-92013-730-4 Rights: World
Released: 2010 RRP: R145
Published by Two Dogs Distributed by Jacana Media
Review quotes:
“If you are torn between living in SA and leaving for supposedly greener pastures, or want to understand why some of your friends and family have left or are thinking of leaving, or if you have emigrated and are struggling with the move, then this is the book for you” – Joburg.co.za
“Regardless of where you stand on the emigration debate, the editor makes it clear: This is “neither a pro-South Africa book nor an anti-South Africa book”. What makes this collection so unexpectedly enjoyable is its highly personal nature. From Andre Brink’s impassioned stand of commitment after his nephew’s senseless murder and Jacob Dlamini’s amusing yet sobering recollection of road-rage to Sarah Britten’s confessional ‘How Not to Emigrate’, the contributors consider the book’s key question from all angles. But they only speak for themselves: While one parent decides to be near ‘her people’ in New Zealand (Kerry Rogers), another chooses familiarity for his unborn child (James Carolin). The themes of patriotism and purpose, transnationalism and homesickness will force you to listen to your own head and heart” – Deidre Donnelly, O Magazine
“Thought-provoking… We learn of the back-and-forth tug-of-love between “stay” (or return) and “go”. Also well-handled is the psychological imperative to justify decisions through reinforcement rather than questioning” – James Mitchell, The Star
“Although this book consists of stand-alone essays, I couldn’t put it down until I’d read them all. What they have in common is a freshness and honesty and excellent writing, much of it by previously-published authors and journalists. There’s a wide range of viewpoints, experiences and countries and none of the defensiveness about choices made that so often marks conversations on this topic. I read André Brink’s contribution, And Yet I Wish To Stay, first and would have bought it on the strength of that” – Bronwen Muller, Idasa (Institute for Democracy in South Africa)
“[The book] has a special resonance. The stories are always riveting, always compelling, sometimes infuriating” – Alex Mathews, Thought Leader (see full review on www.politicsweb.co.za
“This book provides an overview of the emigration debate presenting the subjective viewpoints of 15 contributors… Billed as neither a pro- or anti-South African book; it is certainly not all doom and gloom, as it seeks to contextualise the debate openly” – ClassicFeel
“Have you considered emigrating? If so, first get hold of this book as it provides genuine information and empathy from people who have been in similar situations” – Independent Online
Note to book editors/reviewers
For all media enquiries, review copies, or interview requests please contact:
Tim Richman
021 801 3649
tim@twodogs.co.za
