63 pages • 2 hours read
Zakes MdaThe Heart Of Redness
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2000A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Heart of Redness by Zakes Mda intertwines history and myth, exploring the lasting impact of the 1856 amaXhosa cattle-killing prophecy through the lives of a South African village's descendants over 150 years. The novel juxtaposes the prophesy-believing family of Twin and the skeptical family of Twin-Twin, culminating in a modern struggle involving Camagu, who returns from exile and becomes torn between traditionalist Qukezwa and modernist Xoliswa Ximiya.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Heart of Redness by Zakes Mda expertly intertwines historical and contemporary narratives, evoking rich cultural detail and deep-rooted social dynamics in post-apartheid South Africa. Praised for its vivid storytelling and multifaceted characters, some critics find its pacing uneven. Overall, it offers a compelling reflection on tradition versus modernity.
Who Should Read The Heart Of Redness?
A reader who enjoys The Heart of Redness by Zakes Mda is likely someone intrigued by postcolonial literature, magical realism, and African history. Fans of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart or Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude will appreciate Mda's rich storytelling and exploration of cultural identity.