Diane Awerbuck, a South African author, has unveiled her latest poetry collection titled Fishwife, published by Modjaji Books. The launch event occurred on October 27 at Kalk Bay Books in Cape Town, featuring Awerbuck in conversation with Charisse Louw, curator of Burning Down the House. A crowd of enthusiasts attended, including Mary-Anne Nielsen, who contributed themed cupcakes for the celebration.
Read More
Fishwife comprises 64 pages and is described by Modjaji as working within the traditions of Anne Sexton and Antjie Krog. The collection captures the unique and everyday experiences of women, employing a structure of catch and release as each poem presents a hook followed by escape. The publisher promises the humor and truth that Awerbuck's readers have come to expect, calling it “an all-you-can-eat feast for any woman thinking about how she got to dry land.” The title poem references the fairy-tale mermaid who trades her voice for life with a prince, reflecting on that choice from a retrospective perspective.
Early reviews for the collection have been positive. Writer Kate Sidley described Fishwife as “deep and dark and deliciously slippery,” highlighting its intimate yet expansive themes that bridge personal and mythical realms.
Born in Kimberley, Awerbuck is an award-winning author, editor, reviewer, and teacher. Her debut work, Gardening at Night, won the 2004 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book (Africa and the Caribbean) and was a finalist for the International Dublin Literary Award. Her subsequent publications include the short story collections Cabin Fever and Inside Your Body There Are Flowers, the thriller Home Remedies, and the poetry collection As Above, So Below. Under the pseudonym Frank Owen, she has also authored pandemic/cowboy science fiction novels titled South and North. In 2014, she received a nomination for the Caine Prize for African Writing. Awerbuck identifies as the great-granddaughter of a fish seller and currently resides in Fish Hoek.
Fishwife is available for R220.00 from Modjaji Books. Congratulations to Diane Awerbuck and Modjaji Books on this launch.