André Brink is a South-African writer, born on May 29th, 1935 with Vrede, of expression Afrikaans and English. In 1980, it obtains foreign Médicis price for its novel One season white and dries .

Biography

André Brink has been born in a family Afrikaner descendant from colonists Boers, made in Africa for three centuries. His/her father was magistrate and his mother teacher.

He carries out the first part of his secondary studies (1953 - 1959) at the university of Potchefstroom (South Africa), where he obtains a license, two controls (of Afrikaans and English) and a diploma of aptitude for teaching.

He continues his studies in comparative literature in France (1959 - 1961), with Paris, the Sorbonne, where he meets for the first time of the black students treated on a social equal footing with the other students. He then takes conscience of the harmful effects of the Apartheid on his black fellow-citizens.

André Brink returns then in South Africa, where he becomes assistant, lecturer then university lecturer in literatures Afrikaans and Dutchwoman, to the Université Rhodos to Grahamstown.

At the time of a second stay in France, of 1967 with 1968, it hardens its position against the policy of arpatheid.

In 1975, he becomes arts Doctor of Rhodos University, then in 1985 arts Doctor ( honoris causa ) of the Université of Witwatersrand to Johannesburg.

Of 1980, year when it obtains the price médicis, with 1990, he was English professor in Rhodos, and since 1991 is English professor with Université of the Cape.

Distinctions

• 1965, 1978, 1983: CNA Literary Award (more important South-African literary prize)
• 1970: Price of translation of the South African Academy
• 1976, 1978: second named for the Booker Prize (English equivalent of the Price Goncourt)
• 1980: foreign Médicis price for One season white and dries and Martin Luther King Memorial Prize for the english language version of the novel. This book is worth a world recognition to him but is censured in South Africa.
• 1982 : Chevalier of the Legion of Honor
• 1987: Officer about Arts and Letters