In the timeless kingdom of Mapungubwe, the royal sculptor had two sons,
Chata and Rendani. As they grew, so grew their rivalry--and their
extraordinary talents. But while Rendani became a master carver of the
animals that run in the wild hills and lush valleys of the land, Chata
learned to carve fantastic beings from his dreams, creatures never
before seen on the Earth.
From this natural rivalry between brothers, Zakes Mda crafts an
irresistibly rich fable of love and family. What makes the better art,
perfect mimicry or inspiration? Who makes the better wife, a princess or
a mysterious dancer? Ageless and contemporary, deceptive in its
simplicity and mythical in its scope, The Sculptors of Mapungubwe
encompasses all we know of love, envy, and the artist's primal power to
forge art from nature and nature into art. Mda's newest novel will only
strengthen his international reputation as one of the most trenchant
voices of South Africa.