Jo-Anne Richards is a journalist and novelist who lives and works in Johannesburg. Her first novel, The Innocence of Roast Chicken, was written in the early 1990s, and published in the UK in November 1996. It became an instant bestseller in South Africa, where it topped the bestseller list for fifteen weeks, and was subsequently short-listed for the prestigious M-Net Awards. It also sold very well in the UK and elsewhere (and is in the process of turning into a film). The Innocence of Roast Chicken deals with growing up under apartheid. Her second novel, Touching the Lighthouse, launched in November 1997, is about the radical politics of the 1980s. Her new novel, Sad at the Edges, launched in April 2003, is about a South African woman's return to vibrant Johannesburg after a sojourn in London.
Jo-Anne spent her childhood in Port Elizabeth, and was educated at Collegiate Girls' High School. She maintains that "an Eastern Cape upbringing does give you that sense of texture because it's a barefoot, dusty childhood, running wild. You got a feel of the smells and the feel of growing up in South Africa."
Jo-Anne Richards is a journalist and novelist who lives and works in Johannesburg. Her first novel, The Innocence of Roast Chicken, was written in the early 1990s, and published in the UK in November 1996. It became an instant bestseller in South Africa, where it topped the bestseller list for fifteen weeks, and was subsequently short-listed for the prestigious M-Net Awards. It also sold very well in the UK and elsewhere (and is in the process of turning into a film). The Innocence of Roast Chicken deals with growing up under apartheid. Her second novel, Touching the Lighthouse, launched in November 1997, is about the radical politics of the 1980s. Her new novel, Sad at the Edges, launched in April 2003, is about a South African woman's return to vibrant Johannesburg after a sojourn in London.
Jo-Anne spent her childhood in Port Elizabeth, and was educated at Collegiate Girls' High School. She maintains that "an Eastern Cape upbringing does give you that sense of texture because it's a barefoot, dusty childhood, running wild. You got a feel of the smells and the feel of growing up in South Africa."
Q&A Session with 2026 Dublin Literary Award shortlisted author Brigitte Giraud, author of Live Fast, exploring the inspirations behind her novel.
VideoMay 12 2026
Laurent Binet – Perspective(s) Q&A
Check out our Q&A with Laurent Binet, author of shortlisted title Perspective(s), as he discusses the inspirations behind his work and reflects on the role libraries have played in shaping his journey
VideoMay 8 2026
Ali Smith – Gliff Q&A
Shortlisted author Ali Smith discusses the creative inspirations behind Gliff and reflects on the significance of libraries throughout her reading and writing life in our latest Q&A.
