--- product_id: 10644670 title: "The Road to Mecca" price: "KD 8.34" currency: KWD in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 url: https://www.desertcart.com.kw/products/10644670-the-road-to-mecca store_origin: KW region: Kuwait --- # The Road to Mecca **Price:** KD 8.34 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Road to Mecca - **How much does it cost?** KD 8.34 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.kw](https://www.desertcart.com.kw/products/10644670-the-road-to-mecca) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description The Road to Mecca [Fugard, Athol] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Road to Mecca Review: Thought Provoking and Stunning - Home sweet home: a place of love, refuge, and memories. For Helen Martin's it was also her life, her work and her Mecca. In the play "The Road to Mecca" Athol Fugard explores the question: Should we leave our Mecca, our spiritual fountainhead, when we can no longer take care of ourselves? The conflict between the three strong willed characters Helen, Elsa and Pastor Marius explores the question in the light of different religions, cultures, genders, ages and environments. Fugard said the play was suggested by the life and work of Helen Martins of New Bathesda, South Africa. The real Helen from age 50 to 75 transformed her house into a personal universe that enters the realm of archetype, symbol and metaphor. The house, furniture, windows and walls became a kaleidoscope of colored glass. In her garden she constructed over 200 figures: owls, Biblical figures, Buddhas, and ancient gods and goddesses. One South African scholar described her work as one of the most stirring experiences of his life and another called her one of South Africa's artistic geniuses. Fugard in his play shows Helen's creations as a glorious, makeshift oasis of creativity and life force and Elsa, his character, sees Helen as an example of freedom and transcendence. One powerful scene is when Helen, seated in her Mecca with dozens of candles playing off glittered walls and mirrors, tells Pastor Marius "I can't reduce my world to a few ornaments in a small room in an old-age home." The effect is stunning. The play is thought provoking and gives few answers. Helen is alive when it ends. Sadly, in 1975, the real Helen committed suicide. She drank caustic soda and died after three days I solitary agony. Her will included complex instructions listing in detail the ritual disposal of each of her sculptures. But today her home, known as "The Owl House" has been proclaimed a national monument and is a mecca for artists and tourists. Review: Not your average love story - From a single photograph and an intriguing look at an Afrikaner’s sculptures, Fugard explores both the cost and the triumph of being true to oneself in a conventional small town. The characters are richly textured and eloquent. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #1,725,560 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #14 in African Dramas & Plays #2,842 in Discrimination & Racism | | Customer Reviews | 4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars (59) | | Dimensions | 5.39 x 0.31 x 8.5 inches | | Edition | First Edition | | ISBN-10 | 0930452798 | | ISBN-13 | 978-0930452797 | | Item Weight | 4.5 ounces | | Language | English | | Print length | 80 pages | | Publication date | January 1, 1993 | | Publisher | Theatre Communications Group | ## Images ![The Road to Mecca - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/712CAw9WLXL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thought Provoking and Stunning *by N***R on April 3, 2001* Home sweet home: a place of love, refuge, and memories. For Helen Martin's it was also her life, her work and her Mecca. In the play "The Road to Mecca" Athol Fugard explores the question: Should we leave our Mecca, our spiritual fountainhead, when we can no longer take care of ourselves? The conflict between the three strong willed characters Helen, Elsa and Pastor Marius explores the question in the light of different religions, cultures, genders, ages and environments. Fugard said the play was suggested by the life and work of Helen Martins of New Bathesda, South Africa. The real Helen from age 50 to 75 transformed her house into a personal universe that enters the realm of archetype, symbol and metaphor. The house, furniture, windows and walls became a kaleidoscope of colored glass. In her garden she constructed over 200 figures: owls, Biblical figures, Buddhas, and ancient gods and goddesses. One South African scholar described her work as one of the most stirring experiences of his life and another called her one of South Africa's artistic geniuses. Fugard in his play shows Helen's creations as a glorious, makeshift oasis of creativity and life force and Elsa, his character, sees Helen as an example of freedom and transcendence. One powerful scene is when Helen, seated in her Mecca with dozens of candles playing off glittered walls and mirrors, tells Pastor Marius "I can't reduce my world to a few ornaments in a small room in an old-age home." The effect is stunning. The play is thought provoking and gives few answers. Helen is alive when it ends. Sadly, in 1975, the real Helen committed suicide. She drank caustic soda and died after three days I solitary agony. Her will included complex instructions listing in detail the ritual disposal of each of her sculptures. But today her home, known as "The Owl House" has been proclaimed a national monument and is a mecca for artists and tourists. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Not your average love story *by G***W on May 28, 2020* From a single photograph and an intriguing look at an Afrikaner’s sculptures, Fugard explores both the cost and the triumph of being true to oneself in a conventional small town. The characters are richly textured and eloquent. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Worth reading *by L***L on July 4, 2019* I read this to consider if it was worth giving as a performance. It most certainly is. I liked it a lot. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.com.kw/products/10644670-the-road-to-mecca](https://www.desertcart.com.kw/products/10644670-the-road-to-mecca) --- *Product available on Desertcart Kuwait* *Store origin: KW* *Last updated: 2026-04-23*