Nadine Gordimer is 85 years old in November. She was first published 70 years ago and began writing 76 years ago. Her Nobel Prize for literature was awarded in 1991. Her writing matures and improves with age. Beethoven was One-Sixteenth Black is a collection of 14 short stories and each of them is an exquisite gem. Often a writers compilation of short stories published previously in a variety of magazines constitutes a mixed assemblage, but not for Nadine Gordimer. This is her 10th volume of short stories and she obviously loves the form and is a master. Her 15th novel was Get a Life (Mmegi 24 March 2006).
Beethoven was One-Sixteenth Black is the first and title story for this volume. It was previously published in Granta 92 (Mmegi, 21 April 2006). It explores the need to claim some African blood - is this the new discrimination? A few others of the stories here I had read before in The New Yorker. They are still as fresh as ever on the re-reading. They are full of humour, insight, twists and turns and surprises, delving deep into the complexities of human nature and the secrets and revelations hidden in peoples lives. Though most are grounded in Africa, many encompass identities and networks that spread across the globe. Where betrayal has occurred love and waiting often transcends the pain.
