Dennis Brutus: The South African Years

"A model of how to carry out effective research on a unique individual who is deeply immersed in the political and cultural life of his society." ―Bernth Lindfors, African Studies Review

"An empathetic yet dispassionate, critical account of the making of the great poet and political radical. It is considered, elegant, and sensitive, allowing Brutus, through his poetry and prose, to co-narrate these formative years." ―Shaun Viljoen, University of Stellenbosch

"Tyrone August has brought us an invaluable gem in producing this work on Dennis Brutus…. We owe a debt of gratitude to August for mining the archive and bringing to life one of the most important sons of our wounded soil."―Mandla Langa

Dennis Brutus (1924-2009) is perhaps best known for his powerful poems chronicling the suffering of apartheid in South Africa. But he was also a political activist whose voice helped to mobilize and intensify opposition to injustice and oppression worldwide. Tyrone August traces the many facets of Brutus's life from his childhood until his exile from South Africa in 1966.

Placing the poet-activist's own voice at the center of the story, August draws on newly released archival material, as well as on newspaper articles, interviews, speeches, court records, and correspondence, to illuminate Brutus's rich legacy in literature, in community affairs, and not least, in politics.
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