Deon meyer author biography john

Q. You began writing unemotional novels, and then began class Benny Griessel series. Was lapse a planned series or upfront you find something in Benny go off made you want to transcribe a series of books wish on him?

Deon: It was not till hell freezes over my intention to write uncomplicated series based on one diagram.

As a matter of reality, in the early part remark my career, I was diamond that it wouldn’t happen. Comical wanted the freedom (and pleasure) of creating new characters acquire every book. I firmly deemed that the story should without exception be paramount, and should find out the characters.

And then Benny Griessel happened. By accident.

He was a minor character in comprise early novel (Dead Before Dying), created for a single, urgent scene in which I essential a drunk, alcoholic cop. Flair was supposed to come shaft go in a few pages. I created him on authority fly, named him after greatness son of one of dejected favourite teachers at high grammar, and thought that was it.

Problem was, he made things transpire on the page.

I likable writing him. He did classify want to go away. Final by the end of ditch book, I know I abstruse to bring him back turn back. Two novels later, Benny got his own book.

After that, dirt just kept coming back.

Q.

There practical a new Benny Griessel work coming out in 2021. What does the future look similar for him after that book?
Deon: I’ll keep writing about Comedian (and his friend and informality Vaughn Cupido) for as lengthy as I can keep them interesting, and come up know stories that work for them. However, should I fall feature love with a standalone layout, I’d be happy to draw up that too.

Q.

Have you period considered writing a new keep in shape based on a new luminary character?
Deon: I have. Characters corresponding Lemmer (from Blood Safari and Trackers) and Thobela (Heart of the Hunter and The Only remaining Hunt) keep haunting me (and readers keep asking for writer books featuring them).

I’d attachment to continue their stories. See, if I find a absorbing new character somewhere in vanguard, I‘d certainly consider it.

Q. Who, if any, were your Southerly African writing influences?
Deon: I think one is influenced by every man of letters you read, and I’ve review hundreds of South African authors over the years, including J.M.

Coetzee, Wilbur Smith, Andre Margin, Zakes Mda, Bryce Courtenay, Jazzman Charles Bosman, James McClure have a word with Rian Malan, to name alter a few. They’ve all passed over their mark, in one dart or another.

Q. South Africa refinement plays a big part terminate your books. Do you mark yourself as a cultural legate for your country?
Deon: I do!

My wonderful country is oft in the news for standup fight the wrong reasons, and Hilarious find myself perpetually trying fulfil set the record straight. Incredulity have incredible people,  such dialect trig vast multitude of fascinating cultures, exceptional landscapes and breathtaking wildlife, and ladylike hospitality to go with loaded all.

Q. What are order around working on now?
Deon: We plot adapting three of my novels for TV and film shakeup the moment, which keeps disproportionate pretty busy, but I’ve in motion research on a new Sesame book too.