If You Can Walk, You Can Dance

Book Details

• Author: Marion Molteno

• Publisher: Niyogi Books

• Language: English

• Edition: First Edition

• ISBN: 9789385285615

• Pages: 484

• Cover: Hardcover

About the Book

If You Can Walk You Can Dance by Marion Molteno tells the story of Jennie de Villiers, an idealistic and politically engaged student who is forced to flee her native South Africa with a boyfriend she no longer loves. Stranded in Swaziland, she faces the challenges of being an exile in a new culture. It is here, in this unfamiliar land, that she encounters a profound musical tradition that deeply moves her.

Set against the backdrop of 1970s Africa and London, the novel beautifully intertwines the influence of music from various cultures with Jennie’s personal journey. As she works, studies, and learns new forms of music, Jennie begins to weave these elements together to create a meaningful and fulfilling life. The story explores her search for identity, purpose, and love, all while navigating the political and cultural borders that define her world.

Lyrically written and deeply moving, the book powerfully illustrates the idea that "the personal is political." It celebrates the transformative power of music and the healing nature of human connections, offering a poignant reminder of how cultural and personal boundaries can shape one’s path toward redemption and self-discovery.