Crime in Johannesburg
A reader has just emailed me from Johannesburg, Legion of Fans (LOF), asking if I've ever considered writing a book set in his home town, with a focus on Joburg's terrible crime.
I have considered it, but haven't come to a decision. What do you think? Should I or shouldn't I?
I'm interested in your opinions - particularly those of you who live (or have lived) in South Africa.
Do you want to read about crime in Jozi in a novel, or is it too close to the bone?
Part of me thinks there is so much "material" (if I can put it that way) about this subject that I should write about it, but the other part of me thinks... well that's why I'm asking you.
I have considered it, but haven't come to a decision. What do you think? Should I or shouldn't I?
I'm interested in your opinions - particularly those of you who live (or have lived) in South Africa.
Do you want to read about crime in Jozi in a novel, or is it too close to the bone?
Part of me thinks there is so much "material" (if I can put it that way) about this subject that I should write about it, but the other part of me thinks... well that's why I'm asking you.
Comments
'MANDELA LAND - THE FINAL FANTASY'
Jeff
We both love Deon Meyer's SA crime novels and after much discussion over a bottle of charddonay there was a joint consensus that we'd love to see a TP SA crime novel.
Who's going to be the hero when even Cops out there are crims, the justice system are criminal, etc etc.
You would have to be sure of your story and research too I would think.
I mean what other crime is there but rape, high jacks, house break ins with murders, prostitution and drug/weapon smugglers, a country riddled with Aids and poverty. It's not as if it's Underbelly stuff?
Just thinking out loud here Tony because I know you can do it if you put your head and heart towards it.
Will SA-cans appreciate a foreigner writting it?
I'll ask my family who lives there what they would think?
Crime is crime wherever it may be. What is worth recording about the RSA is the incredibility of what people will do criminally, and what people have to try to do to defend themselves....the, what seems to people not from there, extraordinary measures.
I remember thinking of the layer of measures taken by people who owned new cars, especially 4WDs..alarms, mechanical locks, tracking devices, and insurance companies that hired 'recovery teams'.
Some friends from Johannesburg had a new 4WD stolen. They contacted their insurance company and were informed that it was visible on their tracking system and ...'it appears to be heading north at altitude'...it was in the back of a plane.
As much as anything, it is a story centred on RSA but, also shaped and influenced by porosity of the borders between RSA and the rest of Africa....what does it take to get a RSA passport? Ask a Nigerian.
Jeff
Ivory in my opinion is an absolete masterpiece and without doubt one of the best books I have ever read!
LOF's are in for an absolute treat when its released!
Whatever you set your mind to particularly after Ivory can only be as good as if not better..whatever the scenario.
Thanks Trin for your comment. Known Trev a long time. Only thing going for him is his poor but very patient and lovely wife..
Ali, ooh, jealous!!