When Maureen Campbell’s debut novel African Dawn landed three years ago, it drew readers into a raw, compelling world. Now she’s back with Under the Banyan Tree, a quietly powerful story set in 1940s Durban.
Perhaps one of the most inspiring parts of Maureen’s literary journey is Maureen herself. Now in her seventies and very much living the writerly dream in Ballito, she is a reminder that creativity has no expiry date. Stories come when they choose you and Maureen proves it is never too late to answer that call. Not in a sentimental, age-labelling way but in the very real sense that passion has no timetable and bold new chapters can begin at any point in life.
For readers who loved African Dawn, how would you describe Under the Banyan Tree?
This is a vibrant story of a young Indian woman who overcomes adversity through endurance during a tumultuous time in South African history. The novel unfolds against the backdrop of 1949 Durban, a place alive with movement, colour and tension. It’s a story about community, inequality and the currents of unrest that shaped South African history.
What first sparked the idea for this story and why set it in 1940s Durban?
I can trace the moment of inspiration back to July 2021 and the riots that shook parts of South Africa. Those events reminded me of the January 1949 riots. These were two episodes of violence separated by decades, yet connected by the same underlying fractures: how inequality and economics can spark unrest and lead to violence.
Durban in Under the Banyan Tree isn’t just a setting; it’s a character. The city has an energy born of its people and readers who love immersive, textured South African settings will feel instantly transported.
What has early reader feedback meant to you so far? Any reaction that really stayed with you?
Writing a book is an act of vulnerability. Sharing it with the world is even more so. I have been inspired by the feedback I have received. One comment that stayed with me came from an author friend who called the story “powerful.” It’s the kind of affirmation that fuels a writer’s spirit.
Details: Under the Banyan Tree is now available on books2read.com; www.takealot.com and www.amazon.com
