Books and writers

From "whydunnit" to "whodunnit" – Michiel Heyns on his novel Lost Ground

Michiel Heyns, Naomi Meyer 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"

Henry Cloete, Bibi Slippers 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

Darryl David 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.

William Gumede se Restless Nation: Making Sense of Troubled Times

2012-07-26 ’n Ontleding van hedendaagse Suid-Afrikaanse politieke kwessies deur William Gumede.

Schreiner Karoo Writers Festival

2012-07-20 "Now in its third successful year, the Schreiner Karoo Writers Festival will run from 9 to11 August 2012 in Cradock. There will be a special emphasis on women to coincide with National Women’s Day on Thursday, 9 August. Headline authors launching books will include the likes of Etienne van Heerden, Stephen Gray, Clinton V du Plessis and Aubrey Jones."

Japie Basson, a true, professional politician

Paul Murray 2012-07-20 "Basson began his colourful political career as a law student at the University of Stellenbosch at age 18 in 1936, and since then his infatuation with politics has never ceased."

Zoë Wicomb and the Translocal: Scotland and South Africa

2012-07-20 The conference will ask how the different sites of Wicomb’s life and work illustrate and challenge notions of the ‘translocal’ in her fiction and criticism, and in new and emerging scholarship about her writing.

Jonathan Jansen discusses his new book, Letters to My Children

Henry Cloete 2012-07-17 Professor Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State, has written a new book, Letters to my children, which was recently published. The book contains thoughts posted by Jansen on Twitter as "letters" to his children and/or students. Henry Cloete asked him a few questions about his book.

Nicky Grieshaber discusses his book, the empowerment of clear communication and macaroni and cheese

Nicky Grieshaber, Naomi Meyer 2012-07-11 "Served on a potato rosti with avocado and crème fraiche, my mom loved the salmon." Nicky Grieshaber talks about common spelling mistakes and communication – and about his book Diacs and Quirks in a Nutshell – Afrikaans Spelling Explained.

A Spook's Progress: From Making War to Making Peace

2012-07-05 At times serious, at times ironic and satirical, A Spook’s Progress is a fascinating and frank account of an intelligence agent’s life and work, and his shift from making war to making peace.

Lewin and Heyns take top literary honours

2012-06-28 Struggle veteran Hugh Lewin and former Stellenbosch professor Michiel Heyns are the winners of the 2012 Sunday Times Literary Awards.

Aunt Safiyya and the Monastery: A tragic narrative of an unwanted love

Annie Gagiano 2012-06-28 Bahaa’ Taher’s standing as a short story writer and novelist was well established by the time this text, his third novel, was published in the original Arabic in his native Egypt in 1991.

New Urban Tribes of South Africa: Dion Chang weighs in on modern South Africa

Steyn du Toit, Dion Chang 2012-06-20 Dion Chang's latest book, New Urban Tribes of South Africa, can be seen as part anthropological essay and part marketing tool. He explains to Steyn du Toit why this book provides a fascinating glimpse at where modern South African society sits in 2012.

The University of Johannesburg Prize for South African Writing in English 2011

2012-06-11

The University of Johannesburg is pleased to announce the winners of its annual literary award:

The main prize of R65 000 is awarded to Craig Higginson for The Landscape Painter.
The debut prize of R25 000 is awarded to Terry Westby-Nunn for The Sea of Wise Insects.

Win a copy of Judy Croome's Dancing in the Shadows of Love: Winners announced!

2012-06-08 Stand a chance to win a copy of Judy Croome's Dancing in the Shadows of Love.

In the heart of the country: Booktown Richmond’s JM Coetzee and Nobel Laureates Festival II

Waldo Muller 2012-06-08 "There is love in the heart of the country. As elsewhere in rural South Africa, in Richmond the people often are beautiful and loveable." Waldo Muller attended Booktown Richmond’s JM Coetzee and Nobel Laureates Festival II on 25 and 26 May 2012.

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