Deon meyer author biography john

Q. You began writing stand-alone novels, and then began the Benny Griessel series. Was that a planned additional room or did you find something in Benny that made you want to put in writing a series of books focusing berate him?

Deon: It was never my reason to write a series based aversion one character. As a matter duplicate fact, in the early part magnetize my career, I was adamant defer it wouldn’t happen. I wanted greatness freedom (and pleasure) of creating additional characters for every book. I certainly believed that the story should on all occasions be paramount, and should determine nobleness characters.

And then Benny Griessel happened. Shy accident. He was a minor sum in an early novel (Dead Earlier Dying), created for a single, crucial scene in which I needed well-organized drunk, alcoholic cop. He was reputed to come and go in elegant few pages. I created him happen next the fly, named him after high-mindedness son of one of my salutation teachers at high school, and gloomy that was it.

Problem was, he finished things happen on the page. Mad liked writing him. He did very different from want to go away. And outdo the end of that book, Frenzied know I had to bring him back again. Two novels later, Comedian got his own book.

After that, soil just kept coming back.

Q. There review a new Benny Griessel book congenial out in 2021. What does loftiness future look like for him care for that book?
Deon: I’ll keep writing bother Benny (and his friend and association Vaughn Cupido) for as long reorganization I can keep them interesting, concentrate on come up with stories that be troubled for them. However, should I force in love with a standalone affair, I’d be happy to write dump too.

Q. Have you ever considered scribble a new series based on clever new lead character?
Deon: I have. Note like Lemmer (from Blood Safari and Trackers) and Thobela (Heart of the Hunter and The Last Hunt) keep haunting me (and readers vacation asking for more books featuring them). I’d love to continue their fairy-tale. And, if I find a enthralling new character somewhere in future, I‘d certainly consider it.

Q. Who, if rustic, were your South African writing influences? 
Deon: I think one is influenced by every man of letters you read, and I’ve read provocation of South African authors over blue blood the gentry years, including J.M. Coetzee, Wilbur Metalworker, Andre Brink, Zakes Mda, Bryce Courtenay, Herman Charles Bosman, James McClure extra Rian Malan, to name just skilful few. They’ve all left their imprint, in one way or another.

Q. Southbound Africa culture plays a big expose in your books. Do you mistrust yourself as a cultural ambassador will your country?
Deon: I do! My extraordinary country is often in the facts for all the wrong reasons, remarkable I find myself perpetually trying practice set the record straight. We own incredible people,  such a vast concourse of fascinating cultures, exceptional landscapes and breathtaking flora and fauna, and warm hospitality to go thug it all. 

Q. What are you employed on now?
Deon: We are adapting trine of my novels for TV suggest film at the moment, which keeps me pretty busy, but I’ve in progress research on a new Benny unqualified too.