Assoc. Prof. Wahbie Long’s new book, Nation on the Couch: Inside South Africa’s Mind, will be available in stores in April.  The book explores life in South Africa through the lens of psychoanalysis. By focusing on the idea of a “political unconscious”, Long argues that there is much to be learnt from excavating the inner life of South Africans, to illuminate the external problems that engulf us from all sides. The book reframes our troubling social issues as manifestations of darker emotional impulses – specifically shame, envy and impasse. It will challenge readers to re-think the way we see ourselves and help us understand why we do what we do to our fellow South Africans.

15 April: digital launch, Book Lounge / NB Publishers / MF Books (Mark Solms)

29 April: face-to-face interview, Suidoosterfees (Marianne Thamm)

10 May: digital launch, Exclusive Books (Jonathan Jansen)

11 May (provisional), live launch, New Frame (JHB)