Akerman’s Lucky Bastard debuts at Tove Café

Tova Café in Parktown hosted the launch of Lucky Bastard on August 11, the memoir of award-winning playwright Anthony Akerman. Known for its vibrant cultural events, the café attracted an intimate crowd eager to hear Akerman’s story—a deeply personal account of how discovering he was adopted at age 10 shaped his life.

The event was more than just a book launch; it was a heartfelt exploration of identity, led by Akerman’s wife André Hattingh. As she guided the conversation, Hattingh artfully unpacked the layers of Akerman’s journey, from the initial shock of his discovery to the eventual quest for his biological roots. The dialogue sheds light on how his adoption influenced his life choices, his relationships, and his sense of self.

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Audience members were visibly moved as Akerman shared the emotional highs and lows of searching for answers at a time when the law made it nearly impossible for adoptees to find their biological parents. While his journey was fraught with challenges, Akerman’s story is not one of bitterness but of understanding and healing, a theme that resonated strongly with those in attendance.

After the presentation, the Q&A session emphasised the continued significance of adoption, a topic which resonated with many people in the room. The discussion brought the subject of adoption – often seen as sensitive or taboo – into the open, allowing for an open and honest exchange of experiences and viewpoints.

Praised by literary figures like Ivan Vladislavic, who called it ‘an illuminating, moving account of the experience of adoption’, and Justice Edwin Cameron, who described it as ‘insightful, wry, self-reflective, and witty’, Lucky Bastard is already garnering attention.

This launch was an emotional reminder of the power of storytelling to bridge gaps in understanding and to bring often hidden narratives into the light.

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