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- In stede van die liefde - |
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- About the book
- Selection of reviews
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Afrikaans Edition, Tafelberg,
Cape Town
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Dutch Edition, De Besige Bij,
Amsterdam
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Selection of reviews
“In stede van die liefde: Etienne van Heerden se Gesamtkunstwerk”
LitNet - Andries Visagie
Liefhebbers van die Afrikaanse prosa koester hoë verwagtinge van Etienne van Heerden as die intellektuele prins van die Afrikaanse Tagtiger-generasie.
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In this article the ending of In stede van die liefde by Etienne van Heerden is regarded as pivotal in the interpretation of the novel. It is argued that the main character, Christian, who is always travelling and crossing boundaries in a literal and figurative sense, is a postmodernist character who is at home in different worlds because he is able to assume different identities. Yuri Lotman’s concept of the semiosphere, which refers to spaces in which meaningful cultural communication can take place on account of shared codes and systems of meaning, is used to discuss the spaces which are occupied by the characters in the novel. The suggestion is put forward that there is a limit to Christian’s ability to keep up his “nomadic” lifestyle while trying to care for his family as well. He has to make a choice and this choice, determined by his love for his wife and son, is investigated as a turning point in the lives of the characters and also as a comment on the postmodern view of life. It is suggested that postmodernist textual strategies are used in the novel to undermine postmodernist assumptions.
Etienne van Heerden verwys op ’n keer in hierdie boek na ’n gebeurtenis, wat later dorpslegende sal word, as “’n storie wat in die jare wat voorlê vlerke sou kry; ’n storie wat al verder gaan draai, maar alyd huis toe kom; ’n swerm stories eintlik later, ’n hele bontspul klapperverhale wat op winde bons”
In de plaats van liefde heet de nieuwe roman van Etienne van Heerden. Daarin compenseert kunsthandelaar Christian zijn gemis aan liefde en geborgenheid met cocaïne en prostitueebezoek. Christians kilte, verwarring en cynisme slaan ook over op de lezer. Dat is knap gedaan door Van Heerden, maar ook enigzins onbevredigend.
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About the book
(Tafelberg Publishers)
Etienne van Heerden’s sixth novel takes us on a journey as diffuse as Sea Point, Stellenbosch and Matjiesfontein – and then the circle even widens to encompass Zimbabwe and various European countries. Sea Point and Stellenbosch are the stomping grounds of Christian, one of the main characters. An internet-based art dealer, he is looking for more out of life. A part of which he keeps secret from his family . . . for instance his cocaine addiction, and the flat in one of Sea Point’s seediest areas. After several heart surgeries and being targeted by Cape gangsters, his life becomes even more complicated.
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