Releasing his debut book entitled A Man Unwritten is a dream come true for Ettienne Gorrah.
Relaying what it’s about, the Witteklip resident, said it celebrated his own emotional renaissance as a man, which consists in “looking outward rather than inward.”
“If A Man Unwritten was about understanding myself this next book explores how we rebuild, how we navigate love, identity, and purpose after the storm has passed. It’s inspired by the quiet strength found in everyday life – in fatherhood, friendship, faith, and resilience. The tone will remain poetic, but with more light and movement; it’s about thriving, not just surviving.
“It celebrates rebirth, creation, and the courage to begin again. It’s about starting over, refreshing one’s outlook on life, and realising that every 24 hours is another chance to steer one’s story in the direction one chooses.”
Gorrah said the book represents years of inner dialogue, growth and the transformation of pain into purpose. “I didn’t want to publish just a collection of poems; I wanted to create a living story, a poetic narrative that mirrors the evolution of a man learning to confront his darkness and discover his light. Each chapter unfolds like a stage of life struggle, healing, love and renewal. It’s deeply personal, yet written in a way that speaks to the shared human experience of falling, breaking and rising again.”
Gorrah said the most beautiful moments were those of realisation when a poem, biy its very nature, transforms pain into peace.
“There were nights when writing became my therapy, and in the morning I would reread a piece, only to see see my growth reflected on the page. Readers may find some poems raw, dark and heavy with emotion, while others are soft, tender and filled with love. I wanted to capture life in its purest contrasts, vivid and unfiltered. Sharing early drafts with a few trusted readers, especially my wife, Inge Gorrah, and a few close friends, was incredibly humbling. Hearing that they found themselves in my words reminded me that healing, though deeply personal, can be a shared experience. The greatest highlight was realising that connection is the heart of art. That moment when someone reads your words and says ‘I’ve felt this too’ is where true purpose begins.” Gorrah says it is about reconciling who one was with whom one is becoming.
The book is available on Amazon and costs R172,74. Go to www.amazon.co.za or email to Gorrah on gorrahe@gmail.com.
