In early October, the book club members were delighted to have Isna Marifa join them in their meeting, as they discussed her novel Mountains More Ancient/Sapaan Sang Giri. Isna shared her story of how she discovered the story of the diaspora in what is now South Africa, from the islands that are now Indonesia; and how she felt it to be part of Indonesia’s hidden history – not being a story that is widely understood. The book club heard how Isna met members of the community now known as the Cape Malays, descendants of those from Java and other islands, who went to the Dutch colonies in the Good of Good Hope as indentured labourers, or were taken as slaves or were sent into exile; who helped her piece together the story. It was a fascinating session that really helped the readers’ understanding of the issues behind the story. Thank you Isna!