Out of mind

Out of Mind by South African author Barbara Townsend, tells a story of Robben Island. It is a historic novel, but Townsend gets into the hearts of her characters.

Historically, Robben Island was a secure dumping ground for ‘undesirables'. These people included paupers, chronic sick, those suffering from leprosy: (1846-1931) and mental illness, and, before and afterwards, political prisoners. All of them cruelly banished.

Out of mind is a work of fiction, primarily about the leper colony, in which the author's forbears were involved on the medical staff.

In the year 1908, the British colonial government undertakes a project on Robben Island to plant trees and improve its appearance. This isolated island serves as a place of confinement for individuals with leprosy, as well as an insane asylum and a small convict station, all segregated along racial lines.

The authorities attempt to hide the reprehensible acts occurring on the island, keeping it “out of sight, out of mind” from the people of Cape Town. However, the novel “Out of Mind” focuses on the human aspect rather than politics.

Reggie van Riet, a new senior clerk, arrives on the island and gradually uncovers its secrets alongside the protagonist, Vera Godwin. Vera is a capable and morally upright theater nurse in the leper hospital, but rumors surround her. The story explores the relationships among the characters, particularly the solidarity between women who support each other despite facing abuse, losses, and societal constraints.

The novel is characterized by its strong feminist perspective, with all the white male characters reflecting the influence of imperial culture and patriarchal norms. The author, exhibits great skill in crafting well-developed and realistic characters, with a particular emphasis on immersing readers in Vera's perspective. Despite the harsh historical context, the book compassionately narrates a human story within brutal times.

Sometimes a self-published work is a gem. This one shines. Highly recommended.