South African-born Lynette Brasfield is the author of Nature Lessons (St. Martin’s Press, May 2003), which Booklist describes as "a gripping first novel...part mystery, part dark family comedy, and part harsh political realism" and which Publishers’ Weekly praises as “thought-provoking…complex and intriguing.” In addition, Nature Lessons has been selected as a BookSense 76 pick, which means that the independent booksellers of America have voted to include her novel in their prestigious bi-monthly list of “unique and provocative selections from a great diversity of voices.”

More than the story of a relationship between a mother and a daughter through turbulent political and personal times, Nature Lessons is a wry reflection on love and loss and guilt, and the unique perspective each of us brings to the universe. As one of the novel’s Zulu characters, Prudence Tshabalala, says, “What we see depends on who we are.” (For an Excerpt, Readers' Guide, and Interview with the Author, click here). (continues)

NAMI, a national advocacy group with 220,000 members, has honored Lynette with an Outstanding Media Award for Literature for her realistic and compassionate portrayal of a mentally ill character.

Lynette, now an American citizen, left her home in Johannesburg in 1985 and settled in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where parts of Nature Lessons are set, until she relocated to California in 1988. A former corporate communications consultant, she has also been a high school teacher, toy salesperson, journalist, and library assistant at the University of Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia). She enjoys books, cats, wine, conversation, independent movies, travel, and good food, especially Indian cuisine. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Rhodes University in the Cape and a graduate degree in English Literature at Natal University, South Africa.

Some of her favorite books include: The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame; Three Men in a Boat, by Jerome K. Jerome; Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively; Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys; The Liar’s Club, Mary Karr; Mr. Bridge and Mrs. Bridge by Evan S. Connell; Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson; Cat’s Eye, Margaret Atwood; and various books by James Thurber, Patrick McGrath, Julian Barnes, Ian McEwan, Jane Austen, Fay Weldon, Carol Shields, Barbara Pym, and Truman Capote. And Jonathan Lethem. And many others…she also enjoys the philosophy of Camus and Joseph Campbell.

A member of PEN West and NAMI, Lynette is currently at work on her second novel, Anyhow in a Corner, which is set in Zimbabwe, where she lived during the war of liberation in 1977 and 1978.

Lynette will be donating five percent of her American royalties to an annual Get Involved for Mental Health Scholarship, intended to benefit a child with a mentally ill parent or sibling. Get Involved for Mental Health, founded by Susan Smallwood, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. To download application forms for the Scholarship, please visit http://www.getinvolved4mh.org.