The prestigious shortlist for the 2017 Nielsen Bookseller’s Choice Award was revealed on the 25th of July with Deon Meyer racking up another nomination for his latest novel, the critically-acclaimed FEVER (Afrikaans: KOORS). Meyer has been nominated twice before: in 2016 for his novel ICARUS, and in 2012 for the ground-breaking SEVEN DAYS, which won.
The Nielsen Bookseller’s Choice Award works with writers, publishers and booksellers to reward outstanding contributions to the South African literary landscape. ‘It is awarded to the book that booksellers across South Africa have most enjoyed reading, selling or promoting over the past year’. The other six books on the 2017 shortlist are: Trevor Noah’s BORN A CRIME; EMILY HOBHOUSE: GELIEFDE VERRAAIER by Elsabe Brits; MY OWN LIBERATOR by Dikgang Moseneke; JAN A BREATH OF FRENCH AIR by Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen and KOOK SAAM KAAPS by Koelsoem Kamalie and Flori Schrikker. Previous winners include Frank Chikane, Tim Noakes and Blake Friedmann client Sally Andrew, for her novel RECIPES FOR LOVE AND MURDER.
FEVER has received international acclaim and was hailed by Stephen King as reminiscent of THE STAND and THE PASSAGE. It will be published in the US in September 2017 by Grove Atlantic.
Deon was the second highest best-selling author in South Africa in 2016. His work has won the Deutsche Krimi Preis 2009 for BLOOD SAFARI, Le Grand Prix de Littérature Policière 2003 for DEAD BEFORE DYING and Le Prix Mystère de la Critique 2004 for DEAD AT DAYBREAK, which was adapted for an Afrikaans M-Net TV series (SA). THIRTEEN HOURS was the winner of the Barry Award in the Best Thriller category 2011 and was shortlisted for the Macavity Best Mystery Novel Award. He has been shortlisted for the CWA International Dagger three times. Rights in his titles are sold in 30 territories and 28 languages and many of his books have been optioned for film. DEAD BEFORE DYING was filmed for a 6-part TV series, titled CAPE TOWN, featuring his character Mat Joubert.
Visit Deon’s website at www.deonmeyer.com and follow him on Twitter @MeyerDeon
Praise for FEVER:
'UK readers, you have a nice surprise coming. No, not Brexit, FEVER, by Deon Meyer. Reminiscent of THE STAND and THE PASSAGE. Great stuff'— Stephen King
‘Wonderful writing... It is a crime thriller, but it's far more... absorbing, emotional and atmospheric... There are shades of Cormac McCarthy’s superb THE ROAD, but FEVER grips even more.’ – Marcel Berlins, The Times Book of the Month
‘This is less a mystery than a thought-provoking, post-apocalyptic examination of the human condition …With its stunning final revelation, this is a remarkable literary achievement.’ – Booklist Starred Review
‘Compelling, action-packed and fraught with emotion. At its heart it is a powerful exploration of humanity at its best and worst and bears favourable comparison with landmarks of the genre such as Stephen King's The Stand and Cormac McCarthy's The Road. Simply stunning.’ Daily Express
‘FEVER bears comparison with landmarks in the genre such as THE STAND ...The novel explores humanity at its best and worst; the crushing loss of civilisation with everything that means for the structure of society...This great book asks us to reflect on our own hidden natures - how would we react if the world we knew came to an end tomorrow?’ — Vaseem Khan, author of The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra
‘FEVER is one of the best books of the year. Deon Meyer is a masterful writer and has created a stunning epic that brims with emotion. The mystery, thrills, and action kept me riveted to every page. Highly recommended.’ — Adam Hamdy, author of Pendulum
Praise for Deon Meyer:
‘Deon Meyer is not just South Africa’s greatest crime writer, he’s up there with the best in the world.’ — Marcel Berlins, The Times
‘A master on vintage form… He is a defining novelist of modern South Africa.’ – Barry Forshaw, Books of the Year 2012, Independent
‘Deon Meyer is one of the best crime writers on the planet.’ – Mail on Sunday
‘I’ve been reading a new book by Deon Meyer, a South African, writer of crime fiction,
‘Deon Meyer's name on the cover is a guarantee of crime writing at its best.’ — Tess Gerritsen
‘Deon Meyer is a top notch plotter and has created one of the best ensemble (and multi-racial) casts of any modern police procedural series.’ — Shots magazine
‘Crime fiction with real texture and intelligence.’ — Independent