FROM WHERE I STAND - By George Rampai (Review)

It would be unseemly if this blog does not say a few words on the new literary sensation in the Free State, Mr George Rampai, author of From where I stand (2012) a fictional work.

Firstly is the book a novel? It certainly is! The book is at least 160 pages in length. It definitely has a plot, a good beginning and end (as regards the main story; as a thriller) The author also writes well, with general fine descriptions.

Again we might ask: what about the characterization? Does the author create well-rounded, plausible figures? To a large extent he does; especially Danny (the protagonist himself) Moliehi the lady, and a few others.

And what about the aspects many critics so far find objectionable? The philandering (playboy-ish) nature of the protagonist and narrator! It is undeniable that in this modern world most women will not like the references to a man’s lust and apparent desire to sleep with virtually every woman he meets.

Yet perhaps we must also point out that from the very beginning, the narrator has admitted his terrible weakness for women. This weakness cooks his goose but in the end all goes well for him at least; the criminals are rounded up; Danny gets a fine financial reward from the police, and at least two women in his life seem ready to accommodate him, even have babies for him!

Chauvinistic and sexist, perhaps. Yet Danny does not feel as if he has done anything wrong. It might be old-fashioned in these days of feminism at its height – but that’s the way it is. This does not make this novel any less exciting. Mr Rampai has done very well to put this memorable work together, despite the misgivings over how women are portrayed in the work.

- K. Motheane