Sticks in a Bundle

"Absolutely stunning." -The Bookouture Team.

"A richly told story, vivid and unique." -The Booklife Prize.

As the middle daughter in a family of Xhosa, Zulu, and Dutch descent, Eshile Mthembu's life celebrates the strength and resilience of the human spirit. She lives in a Soweto shanty under South Africa's apartheid rule, a policy designed to squash her dreams and control every aspect of her life. Her story reveals a history of racial injustice many know little about, as experienced by a young woman trying to understand it herself.

Despite cultural, religious, and linguistic differences, Eshile's family bases their love and strength on the African proverb: Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. But when a stranger from afar offers an unexpected opportunity, Eshile must decide whether to secure her family bonds or embrace the promise of a better life.

Fans of coming-of-age novels illuminating the human condition through characters of disparate backgrounds such as Demon Copperhead, American Dirt, and Vera: The Novel are drawn to the tumultuous and inspiring life of Eshile Mthembu. Immerse yourself in Sticks in a Bundle: The Early Years, the first book of this poignant and gripping trilogy.