Celebrating Deepest Springs
The publication of a profound novel, Deepest Springs by a new black female author in South Africa is making waves in the literary fraternity here. I am so proud that I know the author, NMM Duman, a brilliant, sagacious, yet modest lady. Among the reviews of the new book, I am particularly enamoured with the one of Rebaone Motsalane, which I am reproducing below…
“I strongly believe that had this book been written in Sesotho it would have had a far greater impact on me, but it is still an excellent book. You could tell that the writer is proud of her origins as she has done a lot of research and did not want to compromise any Sesotho words to have a great impact and for the reader to fully understand the meaning. She could easily have settled for an English translation and given a detailed meaning.
The “Deepest Springs” tells a great love story from an African (black) point of view and is not a westernized version that we see black people have adapted to because of acculturation. It made great sense for someone to come who comes from a rural background and greatly appreciates nature at its best.
The storyline is about two lovers from a rural background whose love survives so much. In the end they beat many trials and tribulations that fate throws at them. But the storyline does not end depending on your views of life. To me it could be about a love story but for the next person it could be about marriage, how traditions put pressure on women and how men expect their women to be in a male dominated society.
It could also be about migrant labourers, how women were and are on their own, keeping the household running when their husbands are too busy providing for their families and ignoring the impact their absence has on their loved ones. This still happens today as women still play the same role keeping the home fires burning while men gallivant in the name of securing better lives for their families.
The story centres on two main characters. One seems too strong (for her own good) It is not surprising, as in real liofe this is exactly what happens in many marriages. Sometimes women are too strong but tolerate abuse in the name of love and happiness.
Our main character goes through a lot. Most black women will identify with her, especially regarding the expectation and pressures that in-laws put on their daughter in law. This abuse continues for years, as those who were abused in the early stages of their married life as makoti (daughter-in-laws) treat their sons’ wives with the same bitterness and hurl the same insults at them.
This book is a must read for mother and daughter-in-laws to be a mirror to them of how physical or emotional abuse can have a long lasting effect and also for husbands to take the much needed courage to stop the abuse hurled at wives”.
(Review by Rebaone Motsalane)
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