Alternative Realities

This novel presents a mock-memoir of one weekend in the life of a teenager, Charlie Johnson, and her rebellious encounters with the world around her. Although many parts of the title are funny, filled with the author's quirky, sardonic humour, there is an underlying sadness as Charlie realizes that despite her attempts to be different, there is simply no way to avoid the pain of growing up in these times.

Nagtegaal was only 16 when she wrote this book, originally in Afrikaans as Daar's Vis in die Punch. English translation by Deborah Steinmair.