Books and writers
Information about the latest books and the people behind them
Imagining Professor Yo Ming: A review of The Cambridge History of South African Literature
2012-09-26 "Literary history has been called the "impossible genre". David Attwell and Derek Attridge have proven that it is not so, and that this genre is constantly evolving into newer forms. The gauntlet has been thrown down. Teamwork has brought us this present thought-provoking work."
The possibility of inclusivity: A review of The Cambridge History of South African Literature
2012-09-26 "Fully aware of the pitfalls lurking below the surface, [Attridge and Attwell] jettisoned the monological or monofocal approach used in the histories of Kannemeyer and Chapman to opt for a multi-authored dialogical approach."
"South African literature is not South African English literature": Linda Kwatsha reviews The Cambridge History of South African Literature
2012-09-26 "In order to understand the present it is important to look back at the past. This volume is an answer to those who want to understand the beginnings of African literature, the ups and downs of its development, up to its current situation. The history of a country plays a role in the literature of that particular country."
Toward an inclusive literary history: Three scholars review The Cambridge History of South African Literature
2012-09-26 Three experts in Afrikaans, general literary theory and African literature share their impressions of The Cambridge History of South African Literature, a volume about South African literature that covers all eleven of South Africa's official languages. The book is edited by Derek Attridge and David Attwell.
"Poems are nets of thought": Dan Wylie on the legacy of Don Maclennan
2012-09-21 Elzette Steenkamp speaks to Dan Wylie about 'No other world' – essays on the life-work of Don Maclennan.
Open Book Festival Cape Town (20 - 24 September 2012)
2012-09-20 The Open Book Festival 2012 takes place in Cape Town from 20 - 24 September 2012.
Photos: Zoë Wicomb and the Translocal
2012-09-20Last week eminent writers, scholars and students travelled to the University of York, UK, from as far as Padua, Nashville, Adelaide and Stellenbosch to attend Zoë Wicomb and the Translocal: Scotland and South Africa.
Beverly Rycroft wen die Ingrid Jonker-prys vir Engelse poësie 2012 | Beverly Rycroft wins the Ingrid Jonker prize for English poetry 2012
2012-09-14 “Deur die vaevuur van siekte toon Rycroft te alle tye waardering van dít wat elders gebeur ten spyte van persoonlike lyding en herinner só aan W.H. Auden se ‘Musée des Beaux Arts’.”
Biko: The biography deur Xolela Mangcu
2012-09-12 ’n Omvattende kyk na die lewe van Steve Biko, sekerlik een van die mees invloedryke politieke figure uit Suid-Afrika se moderne geskiedenis.
Reader's review: Impressions of Adventures of a Waterboy
2012-09-05 "Scott is an accomplished musician and lyricist, as well as an entertaining writer. His writing is engaging and vivid (give or take a cliché or two) and he has a knack for characterisation that would probably make him the envy of seasoned novelists."
Author of The Book of War, James Whyle, in conversation with Janet van Eeden
2012-08-30 "Whyle’s marriage of history with fine craftsmanship has shot him straight to the forefront of our writing community. His style is inimitable, his ways with language poetic, and he can hold his own against the few literary giants who have emerged from this continent."
African Library: The Great Agony and Pure Laughter of the Gods
2012-08-30 "Safari’s text is harrowing to read for most of its length, but is a rich work in the breadth of its reach, though so unassumingly presented."
William Gumede's Restless Nation launch at Taj Cape Town
2012-08-21 Join renowned political commentator William Gumede at the launch of his latest book, Restless Nation: Making sense of troubled times.
Restless Nation launch at the Book Lounge
2012-08-16 Tafelberg invites you to the launch of William Gumede's latest book, Restless Nation: Making sense of troubled times.
Clinton V du Plessis launches Flitse at Karoo Writers Festival
2012-08-16 The poetry launch of Flitse by Clinton V du Plessis took place at the third Karoo Writers Festival in Cradock, in the gardens of Albert House.
From "whydunnit" to "whodunnit" – Michiel Heyns on his novel Lost Ground
2012-08-07 Michiel Heyns, well-known translator and English professor, recently won two prizes for his novel Lost Ground. The book is packaged as a crime novel, but readers of more serious novels will be pleasantly surprised by the story, if not completely blown away. Naomi Meyer asked Heyns about this memorable book.
Schreiner Karoo Writers Festival: "Every year the festival attendees double"
2012-08-07 "It seems fitting that the festival is held on and around Women’s Day, as we’d like to celebrate the tenacity of women, and people in general, who have succeeded, despite their upbringing."
Jan Braai se Vuurwerke word bekendgestel
2012-08-01 Die man wat Nasionale Braaidag begin het stel sy boek oor braai, vuurmaak en die kuns van oor kole kook hierdie maand in Kaapstad bekend.
Photos: Breyten Breytenbach Festival 2012
2012-07-31 The Breyten Breytenbach Festival took place from 13 to 15 July 2012 in Montagu. Darryl Davids, organiser of the festival, showed LitNet his photos.