“July’s People” is a novel by South African author Nadine Gordimer, published in 1981. The novel is set in South Africa during a fictional civil war, and follows the Smales family, who are white, as they flee Johannesburg and seek refuge with their black servant, July, in his rural village.
The story explores themes of race, power, identity, and the legacy of colonialism in South Africa. It also examines the complex relationships between the Smales family and July, as they navigate their shifting roles and power dynamics.
The novel is told from Maureen’s perspective, and the narrative shifts between her thoughts and observations and the events unfolding around her. Throughout the novel, Maureen reflects on her life and her relationship with July, as well as her own complicity in the system of apartheid.
“July’s People” was highly acclaimed upon its release and won several literary awards, including the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the Central News Agency Literary Award. It has since become a seminal work of South African literature and is often studied in schools and universities around the world.
Key Facts
Here are some key facts about the novel:
- Setting: The novel is set in South Africa during a fictional civil war. The story takes place in the 1980s and follows the Smales family, who are white, as they flee Johannesburg and seek refuge with their black servant, July, in his rural village.
- Characters: The main characters in the novel are Maureen and Bam Smales, a white couple in their forties, and July, their black servant. Other characters include their children, Royce and Victor, and several villagers in July’s community.
- Themes: The novel explores themes of race, power, identity, and the legacy of colonialism in South Africa. It also examines the complex relationships between the Smales family and July, as they navigate their shifting roles and power dynamics.
- Narrative style: The novel is told from Maureen’s perspective, and the narrative shifts between her thoughts and observations and the events unfolding around her.
- Reception: “July’s People” was highly acclaimed upon its release and won several literary awards, including the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the Central News Agency Literary Award. It has since become a seminal work of South African literature and is often studied in schools and universities around the world.
Major Characters
- Maureen Smales: A white woman in her forties, Maureen is the main protagonist of the novel. She is married to Bam and has two children, Royce and Victor. Maureen is initially depicted as being very dependent on the comforts of her privileged life in Johannesburg, but she undergoes a transformation as she is forced to confront the realities of life in July’s village.
- Bam Smales: Maureen’s husband, Bam, is a white man in his fifties. He is a professor of anthropology and is initially depicted as being more politically aware than Maureen, but he too undergoes a transformation as he is forced to confront the realities of life in the village.
- July: The Smales’ black servant, July, is a central figure in the novel. He is initially depicted as being subservient to the Smales, but his role in the novel changes as he becomes their protector and guide in the village.
- Royce and Victor: The Smales’ two children, Royce and Victor, are both teenagers. They initially struggle to adapt to life in the village, but they eventually find a sense of purpose in helping out with the chores and building relationships with the other villagers.
- The villagers: Several villagers in July’s community play significant roles in the novel, including Marlene, who becomes Maureen’s friend and confidante, and Sizwe, who becomes a mentor to Royce and Victor. The villagers are depicted as being resourceful and resilient in the face of the civil war and the upheaval it brings to their lives.
Minor Characters
- The Smales’ friends: Several of the Smales’ friends make brief appearances in the novel, including Steve and Caroline, who are killed in a car bombing in Johannesburg, and Vera and Harold, who are also forced to flee the city.
- The soldiers: Throughout the novel, the Smales and the villagers are menaced by soldiers who are fighting in the civil war. These soldiers are often brutal and unpredictable, and their presence adds a sense of tension and danger to the novel.
- The refugees: As the civil war intensifies, more and more refugees arrive in July’s village seeking safety. These refugees come from all walks of life and add to the sense of chaos and instability in the novel.
- The guerrilla fighters: Late in the novel, a group of guerrilla fighters arrive in the village, adding a new dimension to the conflict. These fighters are depicted as being more organized and focused than the soldiers, but their presence also raises questions about the nature of violence and resistance in the novel.
- The radio announcer: Throughout the novel, the Smales and the villagers listen to a radio announcer who provides updates on the civil war. The announcer’s voice becomes a constant presence in the novel, highlighting the way that media can shape our perceptions of reality.
