GEORGE NEWS - Heavily masked and with enough hot chocolate to combat last week's icy weather, author and radio talk show host Shiloh Noone* engaged with local book lovers at Wordsworth Books in the Garden Route Mall on Wednesday 21 July, signing copies of his novel, A bicycle, a chess set, an African river.
Noone's novel is about a retired British engineer who regularly travels by bicycle from his home in Swaziland and crosses a crocodile-infested river to teach chess at a mission in Mozambique.
"It is about recognising the intricate patterns of life, life-skills and the resilience of the human spirit," reads the publishers' description.
Asked about his inspiration, Noone said an online article on Zulu children wading across the crocodile-infested Tugela River to attend school had caught his attention. "These children have to return the same way. This article, and my experience as a chess teacher to largely Zimbabwe children, was my inspiration.
"I was inspired by my lessons with the children and the combination with that incredible journey to face that danger. The book was written before the Netflix series, The Queens' Gambit, brought on a chess trend."
Noone said the signing event was "absolutely wonderful". "We had a few locals coming in, some old associates of mine and Christa Jackson [shop manager] was amazing. The vibe was great. The people in George are really friendly," said Noone.
Sponsored by the USA organisation Chess for Change, and published by Naledi Publishers, the book officially hit the shelves four months ago.
Original artefact
Noone's comment on the validity of printed books in the digital era reminds one of one's own humanity. "To hold an item in your hand, to feel it, and pass it on to others, is special. It is a transferable energy. There is nothing more refreshing and desirable than having the original artefact, book or music in your grubby paws."
His decision to travel to George for a book signing in the middle of the third wave, during the coldest week of winter, is equally noble in spirit.
"Covid is an unpredictable scenario. We were actually going to have the book signing previously, but once the coffee shops and the restaurants opened, we decided to have it. People need to get out and see others," said Noone. "Sitting in a warm coffee shop and seeing others means they are still in a form of life.
"Not everybody has big gardens or live in estates where they can still take walks. Because this book has a message of light, especially in these dark days of Covid, it is important that people could have access to this book."
Hippie blood
Although he now calls the coastal town Onrus near Cape Town his home, George-born Noone still finds a close connection to some of the Garden Route's treasures, such as Sedgefield. "I used to live in the Knysna Forest Garden of Eden with a large bunch of bohemians in the late 70s," said Noone.
"Sitting at the book signing today I saw quite a few of those old hippies coming in to buy supplies and I can clearly see they are still living out there. The hippies were right, from the beginning. Growing your own vegetables, peace, love - their message is even more relevant today."
Shiloh Noone is a Cape Talk radio (567 AM) presenter, hosting his own show entitled 'The Magic Bus' on Saturdays (21:00 to midnight).
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