Many a former high school student will remember her as the author of the prescribed book Die uurwerk kantel which was published in 1976 and has since been reprinted as a classic. Marié Heese is an expert in the field of memory, and a master of the historical novel. In her latest book, Die laaste dae she delves deep into history to give a voice to the people of Pompeii and Herculaneum in the year 79 AD. A simple goatherd realises that Vesuvius is about to erupt again, but the other inhabitants of the two cities live in denial until the inevitable finally happens. Daniel Hugo, her publisher, talks to her about history, literature and the gift of being able to remember.