achmat-dangor

Achmat
Dangor

Achmat Dangor was born in Johannesburg in 1948, and after high school, lived in several small rural South African towns.

He studied literature at Rhodes University, and has published two poetry collections: Bulldozer (1983) and Private Voices (1992). His first three novels were Waiting for Leila (1981), The Z Town Trilogy (1990), and Kafka’s Curse (1997).

His novel Bitter Fruit (2003), was shortlisted for the 2003 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and the 2004 Man Booker Prize for Fiction. It tells the story of Silas and Lydia Ali, a couple of mixed-race ancestry, and their son, and is set in post-apartheid South Africa.

His latest book is Strange Pilgrimages (2013), a collection of short stories with ‘the struggle years’ in South Africa as their central theme.

Achmat Dangor was born in Johannesburg in 1948, and after high school, lived in several small rural South African towns.

He studied literature at Rhodes University, and has published two poetry collections: Bulldozer (1983) and Private Voices (1992). His first three novels were Waiting for Leila (1981), The Z Town Trilogy (1990), and Kafka’s Curse (1997).

His novel Bitter Fruit (2003), was shortlisted for the 2003 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and the 2004 Man Booker Prize for Fiction. It tells the story of Silas and Lydia Ali, a couple of mixed-race ancestry, and their son, and is set in post-apartheid South Africa.

His latest book is Strange Pilgrimages (2013), a collection of short stories with ‘the struggle years’ in South Africa as their central theme.

artwork-image

PREVIOUS NOMINATIONS

RELATED FEATURES

Video January 2 2026

Celebrating 30 Years of the Dublin Literary Award

As we bid a fond farewell to our 30th Anniversary, let's take a lookback at some highlights from past years
News November 19 2025

2026 Nominations Revealed

69 titles have been nominated by 80 libraries from 36 countries for the 2026 Award
News November 19 2025

2026 Dublin Literary Award Judges Announced

Meet our judging panel for 2026 Dublin Literary Award
Video May 26 2025

2025 Dublin Literary Award Winner in Conversation

Winning author Michael Crummey in conversation with Madeleine Keane at the International Literature Festival Dublin.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.