Books and writers
Information about the latest books and the people behind them
Niq Mhlongo on the writer as an agent of change
2015-11-23"Let me declare that the reading culture among the black South African youth is changing very fast."
The heart has spaces – the love letters of André Brink and Ingrid Jonker
2015-11-18Karina Magdalena Szczurek on André Brink and Ingrid Jonker: "No other woman in André’s life had left as indelible a mark on him as Ingrid. No other haunted me as much in the beginning of our relationship."
Review: Storm Over the Transvaal by TV Bulpin
2015-11-16T.V. Bulpin (1918–1999) was a writer about African big game hunters, South African travel and history.
Surprise increase in sales of children’s books
2015-11-16NB Publishers: “It seems digital and print can live in harmony and it can be a mutually beneficial harmony at that.”
Review: Etta and Otto and Russell and James
2015-11-09"Part The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, part Forrest Gump"
Writer of the Week: A decade of Lauren Beukes
2015-11-04This week LitNet celebrates one of South Africa's greatest literary exports, Lauren Beukes.
South African writers dominate shortlist for Short Story Day Africa Prize
2015-10-30This year over 450 entries were received for the prize from over two dozen countries, both from writers living on the African continent and from writers in the African diaspora.
Flame in the Snow – the love letters of André Brink and Ingrid Jonker
2015-10-28"She still scratches at me. I wish I could interview her." – Karin Schimke, journalist and poet, on her translation of some remarkable love letters.
African Library: Wife of the Gods by Kwei Quartey
2015-10-28"This fine example of the detective genre is strongly recommended to readers – not only for its clever plot, but also for its richer insights."
"There is it": an interview with Suzelle (DIY)
2015-10-21"Suzelle, which of your videos are your own personal favourites?"
Book review: The Fetch by Finuala Dowling
2015-10-21"There is much to charm and delight — not least some very funny dialogue — in this story about a motley ('mixed') group of South Africans living their 'ordinary' lives and learning to express love for each other in practical ways."
Vlam in die sneeu: Spesiale genommerde uitgawe | Flame in the Snow: Special numbered edition
2015-10-13'n Spesiale, beperkte uitgawe van Vlam in die sneeu: Die liefdesbriewe van André P Brink en Ingrid Jonker is beskikbaar vir voorafbestelling tot 30 Oktober. | A special, limited edition of Flame in the Snow: The Love Letters of André Brink and Ingrid Jonker is available for pre-order until the 30th of October.
Book review: Papwa - Golf's Lost Legend by Maxine Case
2015-10-07"But ultimately no memorial, no biography, no written account or account of any other nature will be able to reflect the ignominy, hurt and shame that the crippling racial laws inflicted on the emotions of the majority of South Africans restricted from participating in the broadest possible opportunities – such as to play golf when they wanted to, loved it and were good at it. Case has at least achieved giving one a glimpse of the reality of their triumph and their loss. The story of Papwa is a glowing example."
Interview: Rooms your kids will love by Sam Scarborough
2015-10-07"The ideas in this book are easy to make and do not require DIY handyman experience. There are step-by-step instructions with each project and idea."
From the archive: My memory: the past in six movements
2015-09-28"Time spent writing in a dairy could be spent writing fiction, for example. And what's the point of writing all these volumes of words addressed only to me? Isn't there something self-defeating about keeping a diary?" (4.10.2004)
IBBY Honours List for 2015 and 2016
2015-09-21On 17 September 2015 IBBY SA announced the six South African books nominated to represent our country at the IBBY World Congress that will take place in Auckland, New Zealand, during 2016. Read more about and see photos of the announcement.
What is preventing linguistic cross-pollination?
2015-09-16On UWC Creates and the lack of literary translations from and into other indigenous languages.
African Library: The Last Will and Testament of Senhor da Silva Araújo by Germano Almeida
2015-08-28"As continental Africans we tend to 'forget' the inclusion in its territorial circumference of several island states adjacent to the main land mass, the small multi-island state of Cape Verde ..."
Book review: The Tourism Coach by Shaun van Eck
2015-08-25"This book is a great practical guide for entrepreneurs and newcomers."
Interview: Midlands Literary Festival 2015
2015-08-19"People from far and wide have phoned to say how happy they are that we are bringing a more inclusive, more festive offering to Durban."
