Looking on Darkness (novel)

Looking on Darkness (Afrikaans: Kennis van die aand) is a 1973 novel by prominent Afrikaans novelist Andre Brink. The novel was the first Afrikaans book to be banned by the South African government.[1]

First edition
(publ. Buren-uitgewers, Kaapstad)

Development edit

Seeking a readership abroad after being banned in South Africa,[2] André Brink translated Kennis van die aand into English and published it abroad as Looking on Darkness. This was his first self-translation.[3]

Production edit

Kirkus review had mixed reception of the novel, writing, "All of this has more validity as thesis than as fiction."[4]

References edit

  1. ^ Brink, André (11 September 2010). "A Long Way From Mandela's Kitchen". New York Times. Retrieved 15 October 2012. One of my novels had the dubious distinction of being the first book in Afrikaans to be banned under apartheid.
  2. ^ Wroe, Nicholas (13 August 2004). "Out of the laager". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
  3. ^ Brink, André (2003): "English and the Afrikaans Writer" in: Steven G. Kellman Switching languages. Translingual writers reflect on their craft. University of Nebraska Press, p. 218.
  4. ^ "LOOKING ON DARKNESS by Andre Brink". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 21 March 2016.