Bidsprinkaan | General Fiction

André P. Brink

University of Johannesburg Prize for Creative Writing (2006)
M-Net Prize (2006)

The novel is based on the life of a historical character, Kupido Kakkerlak (c. 1760 – c. 1825). The ancient African world of magic and dreams characterise the novel. Kupido was not born. An eagle brought him and a praying mantis made an appearance; the latter a good sign from the gods. In his youth he was a notorious man, but under the influence of the missionary Dr van der Kemp, he became the first Khoi to be ordained as a missionary at the Cape of Good Hope, whereafter he passionately turned against the world of Heitsi-Eibib. Comedy and tragedy are intimately intertwined. Undoubtedly, a highlight of Brink’s work.