South african crime fiction authors

African writer deon meyer looks back at his 2016 virus. Mark behr born 1963, south africatanzania dricky beukes 19181999 lauren beukes born 1976 steve biko 19461977. South african crime writers murder they wrote dieter. Multilingual lorna did her spying when she and her husband lived in south africa in the 1930s and 40s. Crime fiction offers a way of telling an emotional and moral truth, a forensic exploration of the physical, emotional and moral aftermath of south africa s violence. With sl grey coming up next and their fellow authors grabbing a lot of attention, it might well be that south african spec fiction is going to be this years scandinavian crime novel scene for. The sydney crime writers festival will this weekend award its inaugural danger prize to best tv series, book or film about crime with the former political journalist and crime fiction buff laurie. South african writer looks back at his 2016 virus thriller. Not only are there at least twenty wellknown crime fiction writers working in southern africa, but there are also a number of outsiders producing.

South african novelist deon meyer wished the deadly virus wreaking havoc in his 2016 thriller fever had not turned into an eerily accurate depiction of the coronavirus pandemic. James mcclure is the father of south african crime writing and the winner of both gold and silver dagger awards from the crime writers. However, while theres now a reasonably healthy local market for crime novels it has to be said that joburger authors, and south african crime. Top 10 iconic south african writers who mesmerize us with. James mcclure without doubt the founder of crime fiction in south africa and its most internationally respected exponent although deon meyer is rapidly ascending these heights mcclure left the. A beginners guide to african crime fiction crimereads. Dieter losskarn asked four of south africas most popular thriller authors. Devils peak by deon meyer deon meyer is the best known contemporary south african crime writer. Roger smith, deon meyer, michele rowe and andrew brown are getting away with murder on a regular base. South african crime fiction varies from the hardboiled detective story to crimehorror, from sociopolitical novels to detailed procedurals.

South african author of crime thriller novels, deon meyer, speaks about his work during an interview, on january 23, 2020, in his home town of stellenbosch. His account of the transition from apartheid to democracy is one of several, but undoubtedly the best. A rough count puts the number of sa crime novels published in english since 2006 at somewhere north of 70 books. Ive made it a habit to find crime fiction by authors living in those countries. Premised on a coronavirus pandemic that has wiped off populations. At the time there was talk of her writing a crime trilogy with number two, who is tapping dimitri gallo s. South african crime fiction varies from the hardboiled detective story to crime horror, from sociopolitical novels to detailed procedurals. A johannesburg journalist, bite of the banshee was anderssons debut fiction venture although she had written an account of. For this blog post, rather than focusing on the alltime favorites, let me talkin no particular orderabout five novels written by african authors that ive enjoyed very much and that might not have caught the attention of american readers. South african crime fiction and the narration of the post.

Sparks, a veteran south african journalist and author, also wrote the mind of south africa. Perhaps the first major crime writer from africa was james mcclure, a british author born and raised in south africa, who won both the gold for. Whos who of south african crime writing crime beat. His six books have won a number of awards, and he was the first to honestly reflect the current. Truth meets fiction for south african crime writers dawn. Michael stanleys top 10 african crime novels books the guardian. Written by michael stanley the south african crime writing duo michael sears and stanley trollip have taken a break from their detective kubu series, set august 17, 2018 published in. Putting south african science fiction on the map books. I traveled the same route on one of my trips to south africa, and. Crime fiction by african authors though authors with a close connection to africa may be included score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Crime fiction author whishaw says its important to keep writing through covid19 times. Michael stanleys top 10 african crime novels books.

Geography has also led the local authors to grapple with uniquely south african dilemmas, like whether their books will reinforce the dogged image of a country overrun by crime and at the constant. This 1919 born writer is known as one of the most prolific south african writers authors and his works depict the racial practices done is south africa against the south african blacks. The first serious attempt to focus on south africa using crime fiction was james mcclures kramer and zondi series written from england during the apartheid years. Malla nunn is a young adult and crime fiction author of four internationally published, awardwinning adult crime novels set in 1950s apartheid south africa. Interesting for their characters and plots and insight into the new postapartheid south africa. South african writer deon meyers 2016 novel fever has been in the news for what many believe to be an eerily familiar plot.

Coetzee, cry, the beloved country by alan paton, life and times of michael k by j. Jacob tshabalala cop created by richard kunzmann and features in his three novels. My 5 favorite crime novels set in africa criminal element. Crimefiction author whishaw says its important to keep. Youd be hardpressed to find a more descriptive name for the main character of a crime novel. Currently, about 700 000 copies of south african crime fiction novels are sold. And no shortage of reallife material to draw upon for south african authors, from armed gangs who.