Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
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Designed to Feel
Why Evolution Built Your Emotions, and How to Make Them Work for You
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Literary Canon

Best Books from South Africa

South Africa's literary tradition is inseparable from its political history. Nadine Gordimer and J.M. Coetzee, both Nobel laureates, built bodies of work that confront apartheid, colonial history, and their aftermath with unflinching moral intelligence. Alan Paton's Cry, the Beloved Country and Athol Fugard's plays reached global audiences with the urgency of the liberation struggle. Post-apartheid South African fiction — from Zakes Mda's magical realism to Damon Galgut's Booker-winning The Promise — is working through the long aftermath of the country's extraordinary transformation.

#1
Cover of Disgrace
literary-fiction

Disgrace

J.M. Coetzee· 1999
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score83/100
#2
Cover of Born a Crime
biography-memoir

Born a Crime

Trevor Noah· 2016
Goodreads Choice Award
Editorial Score48/100
#3
Cover of Cry, the Beloved Country
literary-fiction

Cry, the Beloved Country

Alan Paton· 1940
Kirkus Reviews
Editorial Score40/100
#4
Cover of The Conservationist
literary-fiction

The Conservationist

Nadine Gordimer· 1974
Library Journal
Editorial Score30/100
#5
Too late the phalarope
literary-fiction

Too late the phalarope

Alan Paton· 1950
Kirkus Reviews
Editorial Score30/100
#6
Cover of The Lying Days
literary-fiction

The Lying Days

Nadine Gordimer· 1953
Library Journal
Editorial Score30/100
#7
Cover of The Green Book (Sunburst Book)
science-fiction

The Green Book (Sunburst Book)

Jill Paton Walsh· 1981
Publishers Weekly
Editorial Score30/100
#8
Cover of A Parcel of Patterns
romance

A Parcel of Patterns

Jill Paton Walsh· 1983
Publishers Weekly
Editorial Score30/100
#9
Cover of Boyhood
biography-memoir

Boyhood

J. M. Coetzee· 1997
Library Journal
Editorial Score30/100
#10
Cover of Summertime
biography-memoir

Summertime

J. M. Coetzee· 2009
Publishers Weekly
Editorial Score30/100
#11
Kompilasi Hidangan Bercoklat
cooking-food

Kompilasi Hidangan Bercoklat

Patonah Chai Choh· 2010
Publishers Weekly
Editorial Score30/100
#12
Kompilasi Hidangan Sayur
cooking-food

Kompilasi Hidangan Sayur

Patonah Chai Choh· 2010
Library Journal
Editorial Score30/100
#13
Kompilasi Masakan Bersantan
cooking-food

Kompilasi Masakan Bersantan

Patonah Chai Choh· 2010
Publishers Weekly
Editorial Score30/100
#14
Kompilasi Hidangan Dessert
cooking-food

Kompilasi Hidangan Dessert

Patonah Chai Choh· 2008
Publishers Weekly
Editorial Score30/100
#15
Kompilasi Masakan Makanan Laut
cooking-food

Kompilasi Masakan Makanan Laut

Patonah Chai Choh· 2006
Kirkus Reviews
Editorial Score30/100
#16
Kompilasi Masakan Daging
cooking-food

Kompilasi Masakan Daging

Patonah Chai Choh· 2006
Library Journal
Editorial Score30/100
#17
Kompilasi Masakan Ayam
cooking-food

Kompilasi Masakan Ayam

Patonah Chai Choh· 2006
Publishers Weekly
Editorial Score30/100
#18
Aneka Hidangan Sarapan
cooking-food

Aneka Hidangan Sarapan

Patonah Chai Choh· 2006
Kirkus Reviews
Editorial Score30/100
#19
Kompilasi Hidangan Si Manja
cooking-food

Kompilasi Hidangan Si Manja

Patonah Chai Choh· 2006
Kirkus Reviews
Editorial Score30/100
#20
Cover of Foe
historical-fiction

Foe

J. M. Coetzee· 1986
Kirkus Reviews
Editorial Score30/100
#21
Cover of Youth
historical-fiction

Youth

J. M. Coetzee· 2002
Kirkus Reviews
Editorial Score30/100
#22
Cover of Pepi and the secret names
historical-fiction

Pepi and the secret names

Jill Paton Walsh· 1995
Kirkus Reviews
Editorial Score30/100
#23
Les doctrines médiévales chez Donne, le poète métaphysicien de l'Angleterre (1573-1631)
religion-spirituality

Les doctrines médiévales chez Donne, le poète métaphysicien de l'Angleterre (1573-1631)

Mary Paton Ramsay· 1917
Library Journal
Editorial Score30/100
#24
Cover of Jump and Other Stories
short-stories

Jump and Other Stories

Nadine Gordimer· 1991
Publishers Weekly
Editorial Score30/100
#25
The Dayspring of Youth
psychology

The Dayspring of Youth

M.· 2012
Editorial Score30/100
#26
Cover of Waiting for the Barbarians
literary-fiction

Waiting for the Barbarians

J.M. Coetzee· 1980
ALA Notable Books
Editorial Score10/100
#27
Cover of In the Heart of the Country
literary-fiction

In the Heart of the Country

J.M. Coetzee· 1977
ALA Notable Books
Editorial Score10/100
Happy Children
The Parenting Companion
Happy Children
What Evolution Actually Built Your Child’s Emotions For
Your child’s emotions are not the problem. They are the operating system.
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Genres

Cooking & Food9Literary Fiction7Biography & Memoir3Historical Fiction3History1comedy1Classic Literature1Science Fiction1Romance1Religion & Spirituality1Short Stories1Psychology1Politics & Society1

Notable Authors

J.M. Coetzee7 booksTrevor Noah1 book

South Africa Literature — FAQ

What are the best books from South Africa?

The top-ranked books from South Africa include Disgrace, Born a Crime, Cry, the Beloved Country — all highly scored by international editorial consensus.

Which South Africa authors have won the Nobel Prize in Literature?

South Africa has produced several Nobel Prize laureates. Our rankings highlight these winners alongside other critically acclaimed authors from the country.

How many books from South Africa are ranked on 50 Best Books?

We currently rank 27 books from South Africa, spanning fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and more.

What literary traditions is South Africa known for?

South Africa's literary tradition includes Cooking & Food, Literary Fiction, Biography & Memoir — genres where the country has produced world-class authors.

Where can I read more about South Africa literature?

Explore our dedicated guide at /best-books-in/south-africa for a comprehensive overview of South Africa's literary landscape, key authors, and recommended reading order.