The Elusive Moth

In hopes of winning her father’s approval, Karolina Ferreira, an entomologist, goes to a small Free State town to research the survival strategies of a rare moth species. Tormented by memories of her family and plagued by erotic dreams, Karolina spends her nights playing snooker, drinking whisky, and dancing herself into a state of euphoria with the mysterious Kolyn. 

As political, spiritual, and sexual tensions in the small town rise, a murder will take place, lovers will meet in the cemetery, and friendships will fall apart—all building to an eruption of violence.

Originally published in Afrikaans in 1994, The Elusive Moth won Ingrid Winterbach the prestigious M-Net Book Prize and the Old Mutual Literary Prize. Finally available to American readers, this novel reinforces Winterbach’s reputation as one of South Africa’s greatest contemporary writers.