Quicksand

An extraordinarily moving book… The chief strength of this book – and what makes it such a beautiful, moving document – is in the descriptions that Mankell gives of the joy and suffering he has seen, especially in Africa… Throughout Quicksand, there are scenes [of] joy and triumph in the midst of suffering and loss. This grave book, intensely beautiful in spirit, takes us to these places in the thoughtful company of a great soul – Alexander McCall Smith * New Statesman *An honourable, courageous piece of work… A work of considerable scope… A remarkable man – Sean O’Brien * i *An extraordinary book, mixing the intimate detail of memoir (the incidents from his childhood and early life are told beautifully, and with wonderful economy) with the moral beliefs of a man whose concern with social justice has dictated the pattern of his mature years. At times Mankell can sound like a latter-day Seneca, and he brings the same gravitas and moral authority to bear on his arguments… A deeply serious, and highly uplifting book…profoundly moving. – John Burnside * Guardian *Potent and evocative – Nick Rennison * The Sunday Times *Quicksand, a hybrid of essay and memoir, reflects knowledgeably on art, religion, childhood and the “final insensibility” that is our dying. Rarely has a writer contemplated the mystery of the end of life with such a wide-ranging curiosity – Ian Thomson * Evening Standard *Quicksand…defines life not by its ending but by the creative and humanitarian content that filled — and fulfilled — Mankell’s life * Financial Times *Quicksand, Mankell’s final book, is his most excoriating indictment of human folly… An extremely moving swansong – Jake Kerridge * Sunday Telegraph *A deeply sombre book… Fans of Mankell’s magnificently gloomy fiction will have no difficulty in recognising the blueprint for his literary alter ego, Kurt Wallander… Compelling – Daisy Goodwin * The Times *Although written in the final year of his life…the result is uplifting and, as a memoir, as unusual a creation as his Nordic detective, Kurt Wallander – Olivia Cole * GQ *A collection of essays that are not limited to his illness, but enriched by it. * Radio Times *

Henning Mankell (1948-2015) became a worldwide phenomenon with his crime writing, gripping thrillers, and atmospheric novels set in Africa. His prizewinning and critically acclaimed Inspector Wallander Mysteries continue to dominate bestseller lists all over the globe, and his books have been translated into forty-five languages and made into numerous international film and television adaptations—most recently the BAFTA-award-winning BBC television series Wallander, starring Kenneth Branagh.

Driven by a desire to change the world and to fight against racism and nationalism, Mankell devoted much of his time to working with charities in Africa, including SOS Children’s Villages and PLAN International, where he was also director of the Teatro Avenida in Maputo. In 2008, the University of St Andrews conferred Henning Mankell with an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of his major contribution to literature and to the practical exercise of conscience.

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