Bosman Companion, A

A handy, informative reference work for the many readers of Herman Charles Bosman, one of South Africa’s best-known storytellers. Regarded as one of the great South African short-story writers of the 20th century, Bosman was able to capture the rhythms of Afrikaans speech even though he wrote in English. His creation Oom Schalk Lourens, an old Boer farmer, remains one of the best-loved characters in South African literature. Covering all aspects of Bosman’s life and work, the companion consists of short, alphabetically arranged entries. These include entries about his life (childhood, studies, the murder of his stepbrother, prison, family, lovers, wives, friends, work associates, etc.), about his work (characters in stories, short plot summaries of each story, explanations to non-Afrikaans readers of Afrikaans terms, etc.) and about prominent critics and dramatists of Bosman’s work. The book also includes photographs, maps, illustrations from the magazines in which his stories appeared, a chronology (detailing major events in SA history and key events in Bosman’s life and work), a classified contents list, and a bibliography of all Bosman’s works (first publications). Also included is an eight-page colour section of Bosman’s paintings and drawings, discovered by Craig MacKenzie while doing research on Bosman at the Harry Ransom Research Center at the University of Texas, Austin, Bosman’s art has never been published before and is one of the least-known aspects of his life and work. A wonderful addition to any Bosman collection.