matrix_cullinan
2004 Nominated

Matrix

artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

Matrix is the story of a young boy, Tom Hanrahan, growing up in the semi-colonial world of South Africa. Set in Johannesburg and Eastern Transvaal against the backdrop of the Second World War, it is a rites of passage tale, as Tom, suffering self-doubt and confusion, grows from childhood to maturity. Although he comes from a privileged background, there is no shelter to prevent his suffering, which has no class or colour. It is a compelling account of a child’s growth into a disturbingly vivid adult world, told with humour, poignancy and wonderfully descriptive detail.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Patrick
Cullinan

Patrick Cullinan spent most of his life writing verse. Born in Pretoria in 1932, he was educated in Johannesburg, England and Europe. He worked as a farmer, saw miller, publisher and university lecturer, before retiring to write full-time in Cape Town. Among the prizes he won are the Slug Award, the Oliver Schreiner Prize, three Pringle Awards, the Sanlam Literary Award and the Merit Award (Cape Town Historical Society). In April 2003, the republic of Italy conferred the title of ‘Cavaliere’ on him for his translations of Italian poetry in South Africa, in particular the work of Eugenio Montale.

Patrick Cullinan spent most of his life writing verse. Born in Pretoria in 1932, he was educated in Johannesburg, England and Europe. He worked as a farmer, saw miller, publisher and university lecturer, before retiring to write full-time in Cape Town. Among the prizes he won are the Slug Award, the Oliver Schreiner Prize, three Pringle Awards, the Sanlam Literary Award and the Merit Award (Cape Town Historical Society). In April 2003, the republic of Italy conferred the title of ‘Cavaliere’ on him for his translations of Italian poetry in South Africa, in particular the work of Eugenio Montale.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Country
South Africa
Original Language
English
Publisher
Snail Press

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