To Every Birth Its Blood

A seminal work that brings to life the brutality and awakening of 1970s apartheid South Africa.

To Every Birth Its Blood is a lyrical, empathetic and hauntingly powerful debut novel by Mongane Wally Serote. Through a range of vivid characters, Serote explores the subjective experiences of those who lived, loved and struggled in 1970s apartheid South Africa. With piercing insight, he depicts the brutality of state violence, from beatings and arrests to solitary confinement and exile. Against this backdrop, the novel traces a shift from black apathy to political awakening and the rise of violent dissent.

Originally published in 1981, To Every Birth Its Blood remains a seminal work that captures the birth of a revolutionary society. Serote's vivid detail and unflinching portrayal make this a must-read for anyone seeking to understand one of the darkest chapters in South Africa's history.