Merksteen: 'n Dubbelbiografie - Karel Schoeman
Merksteen: 'n Dubbelbiografie - Karel Schoeman.(Afrikaans)
Hardcover, ISBN 9780798138970
Publisher: Human & Rousseau (Pty) Ltd, 1998 First Edition.
Used - Very Good. Ex Library book with limited but expected stamps(1) and a pasting.The cover may have some limited signs of edge and spine wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book is in a very good condition and for an ex library book has clearly been well maintained thus far. The book is protected with a new Cellophane cover.
Merksteen is die verhaal van Karel Schoeman se grootouers aan moederskant, wat kort voor die Anglo-Boereoorlog uit Nederland na Suid-Afrika gekom het.
Op ruimer vlak is dit tewens ‘n oorsig van betrekkinge tussen hierdie twee lande gedurende die negetiende en vroeë twintigste eeu, die Nederland wat die immigrante agtergelaat het en die rol wat hulle hier gespeel het. Dit betree ‘n vlak in die geskiedskrywing in Suid-Afrika en spesifiek Afrikaans wat selde nog aangespreek is, juis in die herleiding van sy grootouers se Nederlandse verlede na hul vestiging in Suid-Afrika.
Ten slotte het Merksteen egter ook die aard van ‘n verkenning, waarin die skrywer ondersoek instel na sy eie erfenis, herkoms en agtergrond.
Schoeman is one of a handful of Afrikaans authors who has achieved real greatness in his own lifetime. His prizes include the Hertzog prize for prose three times (1970, 1986, 1995), the CNA prize (1972), the Helgaard Steyn prize (1988), the W.A. Hofmeyr prize and the Old Mutual prize for literature/fiction (1984, 1991). His work investigates the existence of the Afrikaner in Africa, especially those that came from Europe.
After completing his schooling in Paarl, he went on to study a B.A. at the University of the Free State before going to a Catholic Seminary in Pretoria. In 1961 he joined the Franciscan Order in Ireland as a noviciate for priesthood, but then returned to Bloemfontein to continue studying Librarianship. Before returning to South Africa for good in 1983, he was a librarian in Amsterdam as well as a nurse in Glasgow. Back in South Africa he continued writing and working as a librarian in Cape Town. He currently lives in Trompsburg.
