The Special Collections Book of the Week this week is:

The Hottentot Venus: the life and death of Saartjie Baartman, born 1789 - buried 2002 by Rachel Holmes.

In 1810 Saartjie Baartman was London's most famous curiosity. Famed for her exquisite physique, she was stared at, stripped, pinched, painted, worshipped and ridiculed. But this tragic young South African woman was also a symbol of the abolished slave trade, exploitation and colonialism. In this scintillating, vividly written and meticulously researched book, the full arc of Baartman's extraordinary life, death and long journey home are traced for the first time.

“A significant and timely book ... Holmes has produced a laceratingly powerful story.” –  Frances Wilson, Literary Review

Catalogue Access: https://univofpretoria.on.worldcat.org/oclc/123434833

This book is available at Special Collections, housed on level 5 of the Merensky 2 Library, and is part of our Africana (ZA) Collection.

The Special Collections unit of the Department of Library Services plays a stewardship role in the acquisition and preservation of the Library's rare and valuable information resources, making them accessible to students, staff and researchers, as well as safeguarding them for future generations.