title: Ways of Dying: A Novel
author:  Zakes Mda 
description: Novelist and playwright Zakes Mda's Ways of Dying was a big hit in his native South Africa, where it was even adapted into a jazz opera. Toloki is a Professional Mourner, making a meager living by attending funerals in the violent city where he lives. In his ratty suit he adds "an aura of sorrow and dignity," often serving as peacemaker when fights break out. He encounters Noria, a childhood acquaintance whose son has just died, and the two renew their friendship, finding comfort in reminiscing over the harrowing events of their lives. There are shades of the absurd in Mda's darkly humorous descriptions of the crime, poverty, violence and ethnic unrest that plague the characters in this oddly affecting novel.<BR>Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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  DYING TO LIVE
  
  
  
  
  
  a novel of life among the undead
  
  
  
  
  
  Kim Paffenroth
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../Images/00003.jpg)  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  [Title page](../Text/Dying_to_Live_split_000.html#filepos109)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Preface](../Text/Dying_to_Live_split_002.html#filepos2702)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter One](../Text/Dying_to_Live_split_003.html#filepos3414)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter Two](../Text/Dying_to_Live_split_004.html#filepos30531)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter Three](../Text/Dying_to_Live_split_005.html#filepos55012)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter Four](../Text/Dying_to_Live_split_006.html#filepos87252)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter Five](../Text/Dying_to_Live_split_007.html#filepos121071)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter Six](../Text/Dying_to_Live_split_008.html#filepos149778)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter Seven](../Text/Dying_to_Live_split_009.html#filepos177886)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter Eight](../Text/Dying_to_Live_split_010.html#filepos197749)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter Nine](../Text/Dying_to_Live_split_011.html#filepos206689)
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter Ten](../Text/Dying_to_Live_split_012.html#filepos231684)
  
  
  
  
  
  [