Local resident and novelist, Evadeen Brickwood recently celebrated the launch of her book, Rhino Whisperer, at Skoobs Theatre of Books.
Brickwood said on the evening she was surrounded by familiar faces as well as the warm embrace of those whom she had not met before.
The enthused writer explained that her book’s main theme is rhino poaching and the frustration people feel because it is not a priority to fight this crime in the South Africa.
“The storyline also touches on other crimes at different levels and how people in the country interact with each other,” said Brickwood. She explained if she could have it her way, people would interact with more kindness.
The Pine Park resident shared that like so many others, she is frustrated with the high level of tolerance of crime in our country and that not more is done to improve the situation. This is what inspired her to write the book. She added that it is all so senseless to her. “I like to look at things a bit differently. There are plenty of non-fiction books and documentaries out there that deal with poaching in Africa,” she said. She added that fiction is a great tool for her to give the issue a different spin and her endings are always a bit on the quirky side.
Brickwood said people received the book with great interest as the topic touched a nerve with the public and many were curious about the storyline. As she is German-born, the book will also be translated into her home language. She also shared that people said they were inspired by the book and had invited her to have talks on it.
She said the most asked question about her book is her stance on what would be an effective solution to rhino poaching – a question that intrigues her greatly as she does not see herself as an expert on the matter. She hoped her book’s unusual spin on things would inspire her readers. ” I don’t want people to put my books down and feel depressed for the rest of the day,” Brickwood said.
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