The Dream House Summary
Craig Higginson

The Dream House Overview

In The Dream House by Craig Higginson, in post-apartheid South Africa Phiwayinkosi Ndlovu, best known as Looksmart, wants acknowledgment that thinking based on racist beliefs contributed to the death of Grace, the Black woman he loved. To get this acknowledgment, Looksmart confronts Patricia Wiley, the White woman who helped him become a successful man. He wants to know what Patricia remembers from the day Grace died. Looksmart is torn between the anger that has sprung from his experiences with White supremacy and the affection he tries to hide that he feels for Patricia. Themes in the novel include memory and the truth about Grace, the impact of racism, and the use of words and language.