Whatshot
Winning Author Eyes Frankfurt Stage
Winning Author Eyes Frankfurt Stage
Spicy snacks and animated conversation greeted Raashi Khan's second novel, Fragrance of Forgiveness, at its launch at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. The Durban scribe now calling Gauteng home made no bones about her hometown affections: "I simply had to bring this book to Durban and the people who have supported my writing." The book is the sequel to Mirror Cracked which last year waltzed off with the Minara Chamber of Commerce's Aziz Hassim Prize for best first time novel by a South African writer.
Khan was in conversation with media personality and author of Beaten But Not Broken, Vanessa Govender at the exhibition site of the iconic FIFA world cup stadium. "There are hints of the angst of Kafka," said Govender in reference to the intense plot of betrayal and relationship anxiety.
Khan agreed, "I write about real-life situations that affect my community." She did however stress that her books are entirely fiction even though her characters' names one might recognise on the street. Fidelity in marriage and the mental health of people with unfaithful partners were themes in the audience discussion.
Localpublisher Anivesh Singh of Micromega who organised the launch said: "We are thrilled that Raashi has again had such a phenomenal response from local readers." He added that Durban is a UNESCO world city of literature and that everyone had a role to play in promoting reading.
"I want this book to be showcased along with other South African offerings at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October," said Singh.

