THE critics have been raving about his latest novel, hailing it as a funny, charming, coming-of-age story. But although Fred Khumalo is thrilled about all the good reviews, he's really dying to know what his two daughters think of it - and it's driving him crazy that neither of them seems in much hurry to read his 15th book.
"They haven't read the bloody thing, the ungrateful wretches!" the literary icon says with mock exasperation as he chats to us by video call from Johannesburg.
As university students, Gugulethu (23) and Malaika (20) have busy lives of their own. And besides, their dad has been writing for a living for as long as they can remember so a new book he's ever really is no big deal.
But of everything written, this book, which is set in a Joburg township, is the one he'd most like their feedback on because it was inspired by his conversations with them.
When they were a bit younger he used the daily drive to school as a chance to get inside their heads and learn what teen girls are interested in talking about.
"The book was triggered by various conversations I would have with my daughters as I was driving them to school.
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