Pan Macmillan

It was a mixed book- and theatre-loving crowd at the launch of Craig Higginson’s third novel, Last Summer, at the newly refurbished Mandela Square Exclusive Books on Wednesday, 3 March.

With luminaries such as Malcolm Purkey and Michael Titlestad participating in the launch, and theatre notables such as Nicky Rebelo and Irene Stephanou in the audience, the event was quite a treat. Higginson is a novelist, playwright, theatre director, editor and university lecturer, and Purkey opened by mentioning that, having worked Higginson at the Market Theatre for the last five years, it was a pleasure to witness “a very important voice emerge” – one that will continue to grow and develop over the next decade. Calling Higginson a “remarkable person”, Purkey prompted the crowd to “watch this space”.

Michael Titlestad engaged Higginson in conversation about Last Summer and how he sees the work fitting into a South African context. Titlestad noted how he has been seeing a change on the South African literary scene, where it is “no longer necessary to write about a prescribed set of themes” – including politics. He said the way has been opened for authors to write about the “possible and imagined”, which created an “exciting opportunity not to inhabit the familiar”.

Titlestad feels these changes also allow South African writers a chance to find their voices anew. Echoing these thoughts, Higginson commented that he views himself as a “citizen of the world, writing about whatever I want to write about”. Higginson spoke about literally “writing what we like”; about “not worrying about the local thing – if what we’re making is of relevance to people, they will read it”.

Last Summer is a novel set in Stratford-upon-Avon in the UK. It deals with a cast of characters involved with a Royal Shakespeare production of The Tempest. The book is dedicated to theatre man Barney Simon, and Higginson attributed much of his Harry character’s make-up to Simon, although he says parts of himself are present, too. The ultimate theme of the book is success: “What is success and what is not? Who do we think is great and what values make them great?”

Titlestad and Higginson also engaged with the challenges of launching a book in South Africa, saying it is a “fragile process”. The conversation explored the need to look for “spaces and opportunities” in a market that is caught up in present-day non-fiction writing, such as the Jake White biography.

This launch provided food for thought on the changing writing landscape that South African authors inhabit, and how the books emerging from this landscape are changing the local book-buying market.

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Book details

• Last Summer by Craig Higginson
  EAN: 9781770101814
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

In ‘Last Summer’ the elegies of love are sung in measured and ironic tones. Higginson’s narrative poise, his understated and restrained emotional charge, are like cool air in our hot literary landscape.

– Leon de Kock

Pan Macmillan and Exclusive Books invite you to join author Craig Higginson for the launch of his new novel, Last Summer.

Hilarious and deeply affecting by turn, Thomas’s account is compelling in its lyricism, eccentricity and energetic attachment to life. Through him, we get to meet a colourful cast of characters and live through the gripping events of an ill-fated summer in Stratford-upon-Avon, UK.

Event Details

• Date: Wednesday, 03 March 2010
• Time: 6:00 PM for 6:30 PM
• Venue: Exclusive Books, Mandela Square, Shop 111, Upper Level
  Sandton City | Map
• Refreshments: or add your own
• RSVP: thesquare@exclusivebooks.co.za, 011 784 5416

About the author

Craig Higginson is a novelist, playwright and theatre director. Currently he is the Literary Manager of the Market Theatre in Johannesburg and teaches writing at the University of the Witwatersrand. In the course of ten years spent in England, he worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford. Last Summer is his third novel.

Book Details

• Last Summer by Craig Higginson
  EAN: 9781770101814
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Pan Macmillan is delighted to invite you to the launch of international bestselling author Peter James’ Dead Tomorrow, a Roy Grace novel. James will be in conversation with SA krimi queen Margie Orford.

Don’t miss what will surely be a riveting discussion of the dark and mysterious world of crime thriller fiction. We’ll see you there!

Event Details

• Date: Wednesday, 03 March 2010
• Time: 5:30 PM for 6:00 PM
• Venue: The Book Lounge, 71 Roeland
  cnr Buitenkant
  Cape Town | Map
• Guest Speaker: Margie Orford
• RSVP: booklounge@gmail.com, 021 462 2425

Book Details

• Dead Tomorrow by Peter James
  EAN: 9780230710849
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Photo courtesy sanderus

Nelson Mandela 20 years of freedom 1990 – 2010

20 yrs later – We commemorate the Long Walk – for kids!
20 jaar later – ons onthou die Lang Pad na Vryheid – vir kinders!

Please join us for the Boekehuis Storie-Uur / Story Hour with Chris van Wyk, who will read from his adaptation of Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom. Delightfully illustrated by Paddy Bouma, this book brings an inspirational man to life for a younger generation and is published in South Africa’s eleven official languages. (All languages are available OR can be ordered from Boekehuis.)

We look forward to seeing you there!

Event details

• Date: Saturday 20 February 2010
• Time: 10:00 AM for 10:30 AM
• Venue: Boekehuis
  cnr Lothbury & Fawley
  Auckland Park
  Johannesburg | Map
• RSVP: Boekehuis, 011 482 3609, boekehuis@boekehuis.co.za

About the author

Chris van Wyk is the author of many books, amongst them poetry collections, children’s books, especially non-fiction for children. His delightful memoir Shirley, Goodness and Mercy about growing up in the Coloured township of Riverlea, Jhb, “is like eating dark chocolate – rich and bittersweet, and best when you savour it slowly, experiencing the richness as it melts in your mouth. His powerful writing is simple and clear, and the bright, bold characters in his book burst out of the pages” (the Write Co.).

Book details

• Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela, adapted by Chris van Wyk, illustrated by Paddy Bouma
  EAN: 9781405091886
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

The Cow Artworks was the hottest place to be in Joburg’s trendy Parkhurst last Thursday: Famed broadcast personality, actor, author and now photographer Eric Miyeni launched his latest literary offering, A Letter from Paris – a collection of essays and photographs capturing his visit to the City of Light in 2007 – at the jazzy venue, which was packed to the rafters.

Cellist Kutlwano Masote provided the music as guests mingled in the gallery taking in Miyeni’s black and white photographs on the walls. The French Ambassador to South Africa, Jacques Lapouge, was introduced as the guest speaker.

Praising the book and its approach, which, for once, has an African observing and commenting on European culture, La Pogue said, “Black people have been brutalised for centuries. To heal we need moments to be proud of, we need something that focuses our attention in the world to find joy, and the will to be better and successful.” Acknowledging Miyeni’s well-known outspokenness Lapouge added, “we find it interesting that someone like you could experience our capital city during the Rugby World Cup”.

When it was his turn to take the floor, Miyeni sincerely thanked Ambassador Lapouge, and paid tribute to the former French Ambassador to South Africa, Denis Pietton, remembering him for his “easy smile and deep understanding and love for this country”. Miyeni included IFAS Director Laurent Clavel, and Alliance Francaise’s Frédéric Jagu in his thanks for supporting the work.

“I hope you like the work,” the author quipped, “and if you don’t, write vigorously in protest!” Miyeni honoured his mother Mavis, who was present, “for all the goodness” in him and for teaching him to “stand on his feet”.

Wrapping up, he reminded guests that the walls were filled with his debut photographic work and playfully advised readers to read his book the “traditional way”: “patiently start where the book begins and work you way through to the end”.

Post the speeches the DJs took over and the real party started. Even Joshua Lindberg was spotted popping over to the gallery while on his evening walk with his dog!

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Book details

• A Letter from Paris: Essays and Photographs by Eric Miyeni
  EAN: 9781770101722
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Pan Macmillan is delighted to invite you to the launch of Eric Miyeni’s A Letter from Paris.

In October 2007, the author, accompanied by his trusty pen and camera, spent two weeks in Paris keenly observing the city’s architecture, its history, its people and its culture.

For once the tables are turned in a positive way: an African is observing instead of being observed, and passing comment instead of being commented upon.

Join us for the launch of this moving photographic journal. Miyeni’s photographs will be exhibited and will be on sale during the evening. See you there!

Event Details

• Date: Thursday, 04 February 2010
• Time: 6:00 PM for 6:30 PM
• Venue: The Cow Artworks, 5 The Cobbles
  4th Ave, Parkhurst
• RSVP: nina@panmacmillan.co.za, 011 731 3440

Book Details

• A Letter from Paris: Essays and Photographs by Eric Miyeni
  EAN: 9781770101722
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Wise words from trends guru Dion Chang, editor of the Flux Trend Review:

“We are discovering that life in the 21st century is nothing we imagined it would be. We find ourselves bombarded with information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The onslaught is relentless. We have less time to absorb, less time to reflect and as a result, less time to make measured or informed decisions. As a matter of survival, not choice, we edit the information flung at us, and discard the information that is not within our immediate area of interest.

“The only problem is that the information we edit out (and don’t believe is relevant), is becoming increasingly interconnected, so we inadvertently block or divert our information channels. As a result, our perspective is skewed, our social interaction is affected, the generation gap becomes widener and we start to miss out on crucial business opportunities.”

Dion Chang’s 2010 Flux Trend Review Conference… powered by Blackberry will track the ripple effect of the global economic meltdown, the consumer revolution that has been sparked off as a result, the technology that has provided the tools for change, as well as the massive shift of social and business dynamics that are altering the journey ahead.

An array of top thought leaders will offer insights on topics ranging from politics, advertising and popular culture to cutting edge developments in technology.

In a nutshell, business and lifestyle trends, which affect the way in which we live, work and do business in the 21st century.

Don’t miss this chance to take stock of the future… before it happens:

• Date: Thursday 25 Feb 2010
• Venue: UJ Arts Centre theatre (University of Johannesburg – Kingsway campus, Auckland Park, Johannesburg)
• Speakers: click here
• Programme: click here
• Register now: E-mail Giuli Osso at giuli@gocomms.co.za to reserve your seat
• Note: Conference price includes finger lunch, tea break refreshments and goodie bag… AND free entry to Digital Lab on Friday 26th February 2010, which is by invitation only
• More information: click here

Book details

• The State We’re In: The 2010 Flux Trend Review edited by Dion Chang
  EAN: 9781770101661
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Image courtesy fluxtrends.com

The trip to meet Kevin Richardson at his world-famous big cat reserve was not a book launch; it was an experience. Starting with hot coffee at Seattle’s at Montecasino, the privileged guests piled into two minibuses to head out into the wild.

Anticipation for what lay ahead grew as the vehicles worked their way through built-up Fourways. The cars, roads, robots, malls, housing complexes and petrol stations slowly gave way to lush green highveld land out past Maropeng. We were going to the Kingdom of the White Lion to meet the man himself and his big cats.

Richardson is the author, with Tony Park, of Part of the Pride: My Life Among the Big Cats of Africa. The book has just been brought out in South Africa by Pan Macmillan.

Arriving at the Kingdom the two buses navigated their way past the main gate and down the dirt trail deep into the reserve. The legendary animal behaviourist was waiting to meet us. Once we “de-bussed”, Richardson gave everyone a quick run-down of the rules, and we were off – passing through another two gates and walking into the bushveld. A large human cage had been set up from within which everyone could safely view the lions. Lion whisperer Richardson stayed outside. He has an intimate relationship with all the lions and is able to interact freely with each of them.

Everyone waited.

Slowly emerging from the bush came Rodney Nombekana, Richardson’s “right-hand man”, with a pride of mixed tawny and white lions. It took everyone’s breath away. Richardson called to the lions with mixed lion noises and human words. Wary of the human cage at first, the lions slowly came forward and greeted him the lion way – with a rub of the head. Richardson returned the greetings in kind.

Cameras clicked and clicked and clicked. The lions sauntered round to find the shade of the tree beside the cage and settled down. It was a hot day and it was time to relax into the whole human-gazing thing! The humans were honoured to be so close to these magnificent cats.

Richardson laughingly said that 11:30 in the morning was like 2:30 am for the lions, and we should appreciate their effort in coming to see us. He shared many experiences of his work at the reserve and what it means to him, saying that at first he “didn’t know what he was getting involved with”.

Guests spent over three hours with Richardson, Nombekana, the lions, hyenas, a jaguar and beautiful black leopards. It was a unique and moving experience. Watch out for the movie, White Lion: Home is a Journey due for release in February 2010; and share in Richardson’s extraordinary experiences with big cats with Part of the Pride.

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Book details

• Part of the Pride by Kevin Richardson, Tony Parks
  Book homepage
  EAN: 9780312556747
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!

Join Exclusive Books and Pan Macmillan at the launch of well known Johannesburg restaurateur Emma Chen’s book, Emperor can Wait. Emma will discuss her life in Taiwan prior to relocating to South Africa.

Event Details

• Date: Tuesday, 03 November 2009
• Time: 6:00 PM for 6:30 PM
• Venue: Exclusive Books, Hyde Park, Shop U30, Hyde Park Corner
  Jan Smuts Avenue
  Craighall, Johannesburg | Map
• RSVP: hydepark@exclusivebooks.co.za, 011 325 4298

About the book

In Emperor can Wait, well known Johannesburg restaurateur Emma Chen delicately prepares and serves up reminiscences of her fascinating childhood in the newly formed Republic of China in Taiwan and of her early adulthood in both Taiwan and South Africa. Emma’s evocative reflections are framed by the exodus of the Kuomintang from Mao Zedong’s communist China, and resonate with the popular Chinese saying ‘Emperor can wait – while we eat’, which captures the importance of food. The sights, sounds, smells and characters come alive through short vignettes that each centre on a traditional Chinese meal and it’s meaning to family and friends. Recipes for Emma’s renowned dishes are provided at the end of each chapter for those readers who would like to try their hand at preparing them.

Book Details

• Emperor Can Wait by Emma Chen
  EAN: 9781770101678
  Find this book with BOOK Finder!