As far as debut novels are concerned, The Reactive by Masande Ntshanga has been a roaring success. Signing his second international book deal earlier this month, the 29-year-old author has many accolades to his name, including a Fulbright Award, a Mellon Mays Foundation fellowship, and a Civitella Ranieri fellowship in Umbria, Italy.

He has also been shortlisted for the Caine Prize.

Ntshanga recently spoke to SABC News about his writing career, which began when he was very young, and his fascination with fiction. He also shares how he came to be signed with publishers in South Africa, Germany and USA.

When asked to tell the viewers more about his book, he says: “It’s a post-apartheid story that deals with grief, HIV, poverty, technology, and also recreational drug use.

“It’s very contemporary in the sense that its beams are not only things that resonate in South Africa, but forms part of a cultural moment across the globe and I think that it was kind of through drawing on that that made it appeal to international readers.”

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Book details

• The Reactive by Masande Ntshanga
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  EAN: 9781415207192
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Related links:

• Second International Book Deal for Masande Ntshanga’s The Reactive

• An Honest Imagining: 2015 Barry Ronge Fiction Prize Shortlistee Masande Ntshanga Talks About Writing The Reactive

• “It’s an Incredible Boost”: Masande Ntshanga Reflects on the Success of The Reactive

• 2015 Sunday Times Literary Awards Shortlists Announced

• The Shortlists for the 2014/2015 University of Johannesburg Prizes for South African Writing (English)

• “I’m the One Who’s Supposed to be Dying”: Excerpt from The Reactive by Masande Ntshanga

• International Book Deal Signed – and Film Rights Optioned – for The Reactive by Masande Ntshanga

• 2015 Caine Prize for African Writing Shortlist Announced: Includes South Africans Masande Ntshanga and FT Kola

• Masande Ntshanga and Margie Orford Selected for Civitella Ranieri Fellowship in Italy

• “Writers Can’t Control Everything Related to Their Work”: Interview with Masande Ntshanga, Author of The Reactive

• Excerpt from Masande Ntshanga’s “Expedition of Writerly Daring”, The Reactive

• Masande Ntshanga’s Debut Novel The Reactive Launched with Imraan Coovadia at The Book Lounge