What would you sacrifice for your dreams? Sven Axelrad's new novel blends gothic charm with an irresistable coming-of-age tale

Pan Macmillan South Africa is proud to announce the May 2026 release of The Dogs of Vivo, the highly anticipated fourth novel by Sven Axelrad. A masterful blend of entertaining literary fiction, philosophical charm and gothic mystery, this release welcomes readers back to the memorable world of Vivo yet stands completely on its own for first-time Axelrad readers.

Following the critical success of his previous works, including Buried Treasure and God’s Pocket, Axelrad delivers a fast-paced coming-of-age story that pits the purity of art against the dark allure of commercial success.

The story centres on three ambitious but struggling twenty-something artists. Arturo is an aspiring novelist with unruly hair and a vertical scar on his ribcage, rumoured by locals to be the result of a dog's heart transplant. Magdalena, known as Maggie, is a waitress with a desperate longing for fame who plays a battered butterscotch-yellow Telecaster guitar. Rounding out the trio is Felix, a handsome and confident artist who is secretly homeless and hiding out in a hospital morgue.

Together, they spend their nights drinking heavily at a rundown bar called The Mean Monsoon, discussing books, music, and their dreams of making it big.

Whispers circulate that the Devil has come to Vivo, a rumour that gains traction with the arrival of a smartly dressed stranger in an expensive suit. How will his arrival affect the trio? And what are they willing to sacrifice for the things they want the most?

Drawing heavily on his own past working in bars and playing in a lo-fi pop band in the early 2000s, Axelrad infuses the novel with deep nostalgia and an authentic understanding of the conflict between art and commerce. Axelrad notes, "It’s only now that I’m older that I’m able to think clearly about what it meant to be young and working part-time, beautiful and doomed, dancing alongside my friends to some sweet and passing song ..."

Brimming with Axelrad’s signature playful and deeply compassionate voice, The Dogs of Vivooffers a sexy, clever, and fun exploration of doomed first loves and the deep human need to be noticed. It is a gripping, highly accessible mystery that will hold readers spellbound until the final page.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Sven Axelrad is the author of three critically acclaimed and much-loved novels. Buried Treasure (2023) and God’s Pocket (2024) are set in the memorable world of Vivo, and The Nicotine Gospel (2025) describes two brothers’ deeply moving and darkly funny road trip.

Currently working as an accountant at a large corporate company, he balances his 9-5 job with his writing to keep his art free from commercial pressure.

He lives in Durban with his wife and his dog.

'The Dogs of Vivo' is published by Picador Africa