The first comprehensive biography of this South African poet to be published in English, unique in the sense that it is not an author’s interpretation of a life. All available facts surrounding her life and early death are proffered without personal comment. In this way it is left to the reader to assimilate the material, which results in an emotional experience and finally a personal view.

The book is richly illustrated, with more than 140 photographs – several of which have not been published before – many of Jonker’s poems, replicas of handwritten letters, memories of family and friends and extracts from the writings of well-known authors.