*The Folly* by Ivan Vladislavic is a novel that examines themes of urban transformation, personal ambition, and the nature of creativity. The story revolves around a protagonist named Mr. Malgas, an architect who embarks on a grand project to build an elaborate, imaginative house in a rapidly changing urban landscape. The novel explores the impact of societal changes on individual dreams and aspirations, as well as the tension between personal vision and external realities. Vladislavic's writing is characterized by its sharp observations and its blending of realism with elements of the surreal, offering a thoughtful commentary on the intersection of personal and collective experiences in contemporary South Africa.