Bennett's book up for prize

Prof Jane Bennett's book, Porcupine, has been short-listed for the Commonwealth Writer's Prize for Best Book and Best First Book 2009.

Bennett is the head of the African Gender Institute at UCT. Porcupine, released in 2008, is a collection of 12 short stories exploring maverick, impossible, and incredible moments in South Africa and elsewhere.

The stories explore sexual violence and sexual desire, dreams of Nelson Mandela and the lives of beggars.

They are unpredictable, both in style and approach, and will appeal to those with a penchant for the experimental.