Macrolog

André Brink in Profile

Last weekend’s Guardian Review has a revealing profile on renowned Afrikaans author André Brink, who “since 1994 and the first democratic elections … has tried to write the kind of novel which, while not in any way agitprop or crude, tries to give that sense of the new historical movement” in South Africa.

In his own words, Brink is a little more straightforward in his assessment of his own place and responsibility as a writer:

Writing is a little like heaven and hell, you can’t do without either. Initially I started writing because I wanted to get to grips with things that had happened to me and around me. And it’s the same now. I know I will never get there completely, but that’s a good thing too because I would then probably stop writing.

Brink’s latest book, Before I Forget, will be published next month. I’ve already added it to my wishlist.

Fri 20 Aug 2004 at 19:13   ·


Comments (2 responses)

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Posted by Bee
Thu 26 Aug 2004
at 20:28

I’ll place that book on the list of things to get you for Christmas this year. I must say it’s becoming a very long list - you are going to be spoiled this year :o)

By the way, you might want to change the “Afrikaner” term to just “Afrikaans author Andre P Brink”. The use of the term Afrikaner is frowned upon by certain Afrikaans speakers. But then there are those that don’t mind. Maybe change it to be on the safe side.

Just an idea. Use it, don’t use it. No biggie.

Posted by MacDara
Fri 27 Aug 2004
at 12:15

I changed it last night. Thanks for the heads up, hon. You’re right, it’s best to be on the safe side. And besides, you would know more about these things. Just one of the many reasons why I love you :o)

And about the presents: you’re making me blush!

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This is the personal website of MacDara Conroy, a twenty-something journalist, editor and all-round creative type living in Dublin, Ireland.
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You are reading André Brink in Profile, a Macrolog entry by MacDara Conroy. It is filed under Reading & Writing, and was published in August 2004.

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Continuum

Thu 02 Sep 2004 at 01:33
Fri 20 Aug 2004 at 19:13
Mon 16 Aug 2004 at 22:50