This classic South African novel by Alan Paton has now been successfully adapted for the stage by acclaimed playwright Roy Sargeant. Set in 1946, this is a moving story of a father's search for his son, the terrible discovery of the young man's crime and punishment, and the fate of their home village in rural KwaZulu-Natal. Remaining true to the novel, the play explores the themes of family relationships, human suffering and racial reconciliation in a uniquely South African way.

An unknown man arrives in the windswept town of Paternoster on the South African West Coast. Granted amnesty for crimes committed in the apartheid past, ex-cop Tertius Coetzee still feels shackled by the weight of his sins. His quest for relief plunges the family of one of his victims into a whirlpool of emotion, and sets off a tale of betrayal, revenge, resolution and forgiveness...

Exciting comic-style versions of the play, useful notes on the characters, themes and imagery, and clear plot summaries bring the literature to life for learners. Sample tests with memos build learners' confidence. Exam-style contextual and essay question