“Reading the ten stories in Makhosazana Xaba’s inaugural collection is a breath taking experience, not only in the kaleidoscope of themes and plot structure but also in the innovative way she consistently transgresses the mould of conventional perceptions of the socio-political issues she portrays.”

“With this collection, with its wonderful breadth of subjects and characters, Xaba has made a rewarding, beautifully told, and urgently needed contribution to South African literary fiction.”

“The worlds Xaba creates in these short stories are courageous; they are also playful and brimming with curiosity… This is a collection that unapologetically centres women’s voices and experiences, at the same time as pushing the boundaries of what this ordinarily means. Xaba has never been content in her writing to simply present the unconventional – she re-imagines the very notion of what we expect from a short story, from a woman, from a girl. In Running and other stories, she raises the bar on what is conceivable for creative writers and imaginative readers. With the generosity of a novelist and the precision of a poet, Running and other stories is a gem of a collection. I am thrilled it is now exists in the world.”