Penguin bought South African rights in the English translations of these two books (respectively Weeping Waters and Our Fathers), and world Afrikaans rights and South African English in her next novel, Tuisland. The novels, all of which are to be released simultaneously in print and digital formats, will appear in 2014 (Weeping Waters and Tuisland) and 2015 (Our Fathers and the English translation of Tuisland).

The closely contested auction was staged by Brynard’s veteran UK agent Isobel Dixon of Blake Friedmann Literary Agency.

Penguin Books South Africa CEO, Stephen Johnson, said, “Charlotte Brontë wrote in her The Professor (1857) that ‘Novelists should never allow themselves to weary of the study of real life’. It thrills us no end at Penguin Books that this splendid writer, whose work exemplifies the portrayal of life as it is lived on Africa’s southern tip, in all its complexity, has entrusted to us the fruits of her humane insights. We are more than pleased to welcome Karin Brynard to the Penguin Books family, a space and place of great writers, many of whom are without parallel. Karin will, we are certain, be at home here.”

Karin Brynard said, “I am so very pleased to become part of the Penguin family, such a powerful international brand, with their commitment to these books. It will be a privilege to
work with Frederik de Jager.”

Agent, Isobel Dixon said, “Karin’s novels gripped me at once when I began reading the Afrikaans: her recurring hero Albertus Beeslaar is an appealing Wallander for South Africa, and with her journalist’s eye for detail she brings to life diverse South African characters and settings – the Kalahari, Soweto, Stellenbosch – all skilfully interwoven into thrilling plotlines. I’m delighted with Penguin’s commitment and look forward to sharing her work with English readers in South Africa – and in due course also abroad.”