Looking on Darkness (novel) explained

Looking on Darkness (Afrikaans: ) 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]

Development

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

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: A Long Way From Mandela's Kitchen. Brink. André. 11 September 2010. New York Times. One of my novels had the dubious distinction of being the first book in Afrikaans to be banned under apartheid.. 15 October 2012.
2. News: Out of the laager. Wroe. Nicholas. 2004-08-13. The Guardian. en-GB. 0261-3077. 2016-03-21.
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. Web site: LOOKING ON DARKNESS by Andre Brink. Kirkus Reviews. en-us. 2016-03-21.