Stealing Water, Tim Ecott’s memoir about growing up in Ireland and South Africa, has just been released in paperback by Sceptre (£7.99). Unlike his previous books which are more obviously travel narratives, Stealing Water is very much a personal story, but with vivid descriptions of Johannesburg and Ireland woven into it.

‘It reveals a less than glamorous side to both places and fortunately readers in both countries have warmed to it!’ says Tim. ‘I’ve tried to capture the vitality of Johannesburg, a much misunderstood city in many ways, but very much the real powerhouse of South Africa.

‘I also wanted to tell what I felt was an unusual family story – none of my friends had Dads making petrol bombs on the kitchen table or a mother who fenced fake passports. And come to think of it, they didn’t hang out with a prostitute called Babette who kept a spider monkey in her bra.

‘I hope Guild members might enjoy the book – I need all the friends I can get, as writing the memoir has caused numerous relatives to cut me off for ever!’
 

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