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Synopsis
In his early years, growing up on a Dutch farm in the deep interior of the southern African Cape, Cupido Cockroach became the greatest drinker, liar, fornicator and fighter of his region. Coming under the spell of a woman, the soap-boiler Anna, and particularly under the influence of the great Dr Johannes Theodorus van der Kemp of the London Missionary Society, whose own early profligate life dramatically changed course after a tragedy in Holland inspired him to dedicate himself to the abused native peoples of Southern Africa, he is then made the first Khoi or 'Hottentot' missionary ordained at the Cape of Good Hope. Received into the fold of the Church, Cupido passionately turns against all his early beliefs. After being drawn into the fierce struggle between the missionaries and the Dutch colonists, he rises to some prominence and is appointed as missionary in a remote and arid region in the North-western Cape. But this also marks the beginning of his decline, as the Society abandons him to his fate. One by one, the members of his congregation disappear into the desert, so that in the end, abandoned even by his wife and children, he is left to preach to the stones and thorn trees and tortoises, returning to the dream-world of his people. In a heady mixture of comedy and tragedy, the real and the magical, and immersed in the ancient, earthy, African world of magic and dreams, Praying Mantis explores through the historical figure of Cupido Cockroach the origins of racial tension in the shadowlands between myth and history.
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Review
'[Brink] lives up to his large reputation and gives us a striking, finely crafted character study' -- Hugo Barnacle, The Sunday Times
‘a fine novel...full of vivid scenes and comedy’ -- Jonathan Falla, Scotland on Sunday
From the Publisher
A magical novel from a world class writer about a remarkable historical figure.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherMartin Secker & Warburg Ltd
- Publication date2005
- ISBN 10 0436206013
- ISBN 13 9780436206016
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages288
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Praying Mantis
Published by
Penguin Random House, 2005
ISBN 10: 0436206013
ISBN 13: 9780436206016
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Praying Mantis
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Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Praying Mantis This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780436206016
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Praying Mantis
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ISBN 10: 0436206013
ISBN 13: 9780436206016
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Praying Mantis
Published by
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ISBN 10: 0436206013
ISBN 13: 9780436206016
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Praying Mantis
Published by
Penguin Random House, 2005
ISBN 10: 0436206013
ISBN 13: 9780436206016
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Praying Mantis
Published by
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ISBN 10: 0436206013
ISBN 13: 9780436206016
Used
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First Edition
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Praying Mantis _ A Novel
Published by
Secker & Warburg, London, 2005
ISBN 10: 0436206013
ISBN 13: 9780436206016
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Praying Mantis
Published by
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ISBN 10: 0436206013
ISBN 13: 9780436206016
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Hardcover (Original Cloth). Condition: USED_VERYGOOD. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Size: Octavo (standard book size). 280 pages. Text body is clean, and free from previous owner annotation, underlining and highlighting. Binding is tight, covers and spine fully intact. No foxing in this copy. Dust Jacket is in very good condition, without tears or chips or other damage. Dust Jacket un-clipped. All edges clean, neat and free of foxing. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilogram. Category: Fiction; ISBN: 0436206013. ISBN/EAN: 9780436206016. All our pictures shown here are of the actual item, not stock photos. Inventory No: 31933. For further info on this title, click on the "Contact Seller" button within this listing. We will try to reply within 24 hours. Otherwise you can order right now (inclusive of shipping options) from the "Add to Basket" button to the right. Seller Inventory # 31933
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