'Reflections On Jailbirds' by Mari Pete

Time of the Writer - 2005 Book Launch: Jail Birds – Muthal Naidoo
Published by Botsotso Publishing

I had the privilege of receiving a copy of Jail Birds hot off the press and would like to share with you some of what it has done for me. I am commenting as a reader, not a publisher or critic.

Jail Birds is a rich tapestry of short stories. It reveals many identities of ordinary South African women of all colours, and it challenges some of those stereotypes.

Muthal Naidoo puts the spotlight on issues of power - lack thereof, and at times, empowerment in many guises. Parvathy in the story “Not your car!” is a delightful example of a woman’s tenacity, and some of the unconventional ways in which we take back our power. (This story inspired me to write a poem about my own stolen car, still to be written.)

In Jail Birds I found subtle touches of imagination, sorrow and humour.

Perhaps most importantly, it honoured me as a reader through some of the stories’ open-endedness. It has left room for me to co-create – one of the hallmarks of a good story.

Jailbird expanded my horizons and I recommend that you read it too.

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