The Book of Cathy: A South African Childhood - Paperback

by Catherine Kentridge (Author)

The Book of Cathy is a memoir of a childhood in South Africa by Catherine Kentridge, who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s. These were the apartheid years, but the book is not written from the point of view of "now." Catherine has written about life in the way she experienced it and the context at the time, while aware that it was unjust and unconscionable. This awareness came from both parents, lawyers who fought for the rights, so restricted, of all the disenfranchised. The Book of Cathy chooses to address memories by topic, not in chronological order, and it gives a glimpse of family life in circumstances and at a time that has gone into history.

Author Biography

Catherine Kentridge was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. She grew up there, attending private all-girls' schools and then going to England, where she went to Marlborough, an all-boys' public school, where there were a few girls in the Sixth Form. She intended this to be a gap year before returning to South Africa to study at one of the universities there. Instead, the time in England turned out to be a turning point. Catherine was offered a place at Oxford University to read English Literature. After Oxford, Catherine studied law in Chester and London, very surprised to find herself beginning to follow in the footsteps of her advocate parents. She quickly discovered that law did not suit her at all, so she returned to South Africa where she became an editor and then a journalist. Catherine now lives in Canada, working for many years as a journalist, broadcaster, and editor. More recently she has become a storyteller, and a wedding and memorial service celebrant. Catherine is the daughter of the distinguished South African and international lawyers, Sydney and Felicia Kentridge. Catherine is working on two novels, one for children and one for adults.