The Bitterness of Olives by Andrew Brown shortlisted for the Sunday Times Fiction Prize
The shortlists of the 2024 Sunday Times Literary Awards have been announced today and The Bitterness of Olives by Andrew Brown features on the Fiction Prize shortlist.
Fiction Prize Criteria
The winner should be a novel of rare imagination and style, evocative, textured and a tale so compelling as to become an enduring landmark of contemporary fiction.
Judges:
Siphiwo Mahala
Dr Alma-Nelisha Cele
Michele Magwood
CHAIR OF JUDGES SIPHIWO MAHALA SAYS:
The judging panel approached the books entered for this year’s Fiction Prize with a keen interest to delve into a world of the unknown. In turn, we were introduced to a kaleidoscopic array of writing from both the seasoned and emerging writers alike. The result was a pleasantly edifying and exhilarating experience, as reading these novels was embarking on a journey punctuated with diverse themes, surprising and experimental narrative styles and boundless imagery. The wide range of settings, encompassing familiar and unfamiliar locations, bears testament to the universality of our stories and illustrate that our narratives transcend the realist preoccupations with the present moment. These five shortlisted novels, each in its own unique way, represent masterful works of rare, unfettered and powerful imagination.
Here is the fiction shortlist in order of the author’s surname:
- Buried Treasure by Sven Axelrad (Umuzi)
- The Bitterness of Olives by Andrew Brown (Karavan Press)
- The Egg Dilemma by Morabo Morojele (Jacana)
- The Institute for Creative Dying by Jarred Thompson (Picador Africa)
- Mirage by David Ralph Viviers (Umuzi)
The Bitterness of Olives by Andrew Brown (Karavan Press)
Written before the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip on October 7, Brown’s latest novel is set against the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A retired detective in Tel Aviv and Palestinian doctor in Gaza with a shared past, must resolve their differences to investigate a murder.
Judges said: A harrowing account of a moment of strife, beautifully told. The author, endowed with vivid imagination coupled with acumen and erudition, deftly immerses the reader in a brutal and bewildering landscape. A wholly sublime narrative, this novel is contemporaneous, daring, complex and aesthetically pleasing.
Read the full press release here: Sunday Times
Karavan Press title: IN OTHER STORIES edited by Kerry Hammerton
The themes in this FLASH anthology range from grief to hope; from love to unrequired love, divorce and murder (in a few different forms); from personal sacrifice to personal reflection. The stories vary from a fable to science fiction, and include a flashback to 1994 and South Africa’s first democratic election, fires, swimming in the sea, supernatural beings, the horrors of institutionalised elderly care and much more.
CONTRIBUTORS:
Sally Cranswick | Stephen Symons | Werner Labuschagne | Sue Woodward | Karen Jennings | Yvonne Sliep | Siphosethu Siwaphiwe Zazela | Chantal Stewart | Sarah Buchner | Karina M. Szczurek | Máire Fisher | Kerry Hammerton | Stephen Devereux | Cynthia Kistasamy | Lerato Mahlangu | Nontobeko Mtshali | Erica Livingston | Anne Schlebusch | Bonnie Espie | Wentzel Lombard | Mary Grace McGeehan | Colleen Higgs | Gemma Allan | Megan Ross | Charisse Louw
Launch date: 11 September 2024
ISBN: 978-1-0672224-6-8
DOT TO DOT by Lisa Tredoux launched at Exclusive Books V&A Waterfront
Our first children’s book (for children between five & hundred and five) was officially launched at Exclusive Books V&A Waterfront last night: Dot to Dot by Lisa Tredoux. It was a truly heart-warming occasion.
Lisa was in conversation with fellow actor and children’s book author, Bianca Flanders.
It was an evening of sheer storytelling delight. Thank you to all involved! I went home smiling, and this morning, the coffee in my Freckolion mug tasted so much better than usual 🙂 Happy reading!
Sipho Banda reading at The Red Wheelbarrow
Sipho Banda will be the featured poet at The Red Wheelbarrow on Zoom on Thursday, 5 September at 19:30. His reading will be followed by an open mic. We hope you’ll join us via the Zoom link: Sipho Banda at The Red Wheelbarrow
Meeting ID: 884 0600 8769
Passcode: poetry
Sipho Banda was born in Himeville and grew up in Impendle, KwaZulu Natal. He is the author of Vusi’s Visit to Drakensberg Mountain, a children’s book published by Msinsi Press. Another children’s book, Amaselesele Agangile, was published by Bhiyoza Publishers in 2023. His first collection of poetry, Ngigabe Ngezakithi, and a drama book, Umoya Wamagagasi, were published in isiZulu by Pelmo Publishers. Most of his poems in A Crowded Lonely Walk, his debut collection in English published by Karavan Press, reflect his own lonely and crowded walk. In 2024, Sipho contributed to an anthology of poetry titled Ayihlome (edited by T Qwabe and A Zibani), and to Imbiza Yexhiba, an anthology of short stories.
The Smell of Blood & Other Stories by Caitlin Stobie and Kharys Ateh Laue launched at EB Cavendish
We launched The Smell Of Blood & Other Stories by Caitlin Stobie & Kharys Ateh Laue at Exclusive Books Cavendish last night. We spoke about storytelling in general and the short story in particular, about the creative process involved in collaborating on a collection of this nature, and the challenges and joys of writing about intimacy, sexuality, violence and coming of age in a country as complex and fascinating as South Africa of the eighties and nineties.
Thank you to the authors (you are remarkable!) and to everyone who shared this special moment with us (so great to engage).
A special thank you to Linda and the EB Cavendish team. Thank you for all your kind words and for championing our stories. We are deeply grateful for the support.
IN OTHER STORIES, edited by Kerry Hammerton, to be launched at Exclusive Books V&A Waterfront
This is an event that promises to be loads of fun! Please join us for the launch of In Other Stories, a collection of fiction and non-fiction flashes, compiled and edited by Kerry Hammerton.
Kerry will be in conversation with Nancy Richards and quite a few authors included in the collection will be present to read from and talk about their contributions.
Can’t wait!
University of the Third Age: ‘Cat Therapy for Humans’ – Gail Gilbride
Join Gail Gilbride for a talk at the University of the Third Age in Hermanus:
“Cat Therapy for Humans”
When Gail Gilbride was diagnosed with breast cancer, she experiences the full range of emotions but was determined to fight it. What she didn’t anticipate was that she’ll have a furry, ginger wingman for company. Archie brings to Gail camaraderie and healing in the dark hours when, alone, she cannot keep the dread at bay. He’s the remedy she didn’t know she needed.
Friday, 30 August, at 10:00 in the Catholic Church Hall, Hermanus
Land | Lines by Shari Daya launched at Exclusive Books Cavendish
We launched Land | Lines by Shari Daya at Exclusive Books Cavendish last night. Shari was in conversation with Nadia Kamies and spoke about inspiration, craft, place, belonging and freedom. She read her poetic prose and poetry and her words filled a stormy Cape evening with warmth and wonder.
Thank you to Shari and Nadia for the beautiful conversation. Thank you to Linda and the Exclusive Books Cavendish team for hosting the event. And thank you to all who attended, especially Shari’s and Karavan Press’s family and friends.
To all who couldn’t make it: EB Cavendish has a few signed copies of Land | Lines …
Happy reading!
karavanpress.com 