This very handy reference work on all aspects of Bosman’s life and work consists of short, informative, alphabetically arranged entries. Entries on his life (childhood, studies, the murder of his step-brother, prison, family, lovers, wives, friends, work associates, etc.) are interleaved with entries on his work (characters in stories, short plot summaries of each story, explanations to non-Afrikaans readers of all Afrikaans terms, etc) and on prominent critics and dramatists of Bosman’s work.

The book includes photographs, maps, illustrations from the magazines in which his stories appeared, a chronology (with major events in SA history and key events in Bosman’s life and work), a classified contents list, and a bibliography of all Bosman’s works (first publications). Also included is an 8 page color section of Bosman’s paintings and drawings. Discovered by Craig MacKenzie while doing research on Bosman at the Harry Ransom Research Center, University of Texas, Austin, Bosman’s art has never been published before and is one of the least-known aspects of his life and work.

CRAIG MACKENZIE was born in Durban and educated at the University of Natal and at Rhodes University. He has edited 10 volumes of Bosman’s stories, seven of which were part of the Anniversary Edition of Bosman’s works, a project that he undertook with Stephen Gray between 1997 and 2005. He is Professor of English at the University of Johannesburg.

TIM SANDHAM was born in Johannesburg, taught for four years and worked in the RAU library before becoming a full-time TV writer and part-time playwright. With Angus Douglas he wrote and performed six plays, three of which relate directly to Bosman: Oom Schalk Strikes Back; The Great Bosman Quiz, and Bosman & Mynhardt: A Tribute (with Johann Mynhardt).