The Fossil Artist
Short-listed for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize 2011
(Best First Book for Africa Region)
Short-listed for the M-Net Literary Awards 2011
Long-listed for the Sunday Times Fiction Prize 2011
Russ Codron, a well-meaning optometrist, has a dark secret that not even his wife has been able to dig out of him. But it is only when he is confronted by the mummified remains of his fossil-hunter father - on the front page of the Sunday Times - that the chaos of his past, that he has for so long kept buried, breaks into the stability of his present.
The Fossil Artist is a bold and a powerful new voice in crime fiction. Graeme Friedman has written a sensational new story which will stay with you long after the book is read.
Publishing information:
Johannesburg | Jacana Media, 2010
Reviews
“Well-written story provides a fascinating insight into the world of paleoanthropology and fossil hunting.”
Artsmart
“A riveting read.”
The Star
“It’s an absorbing read with well-crafted characters”
Ken Barris, Cape Times
“[A] suspenseful and inventive story… The strength of Friedman’s unusual novel lies in its original and gripping plotline. It also has strong, well-conceived characters and contains passages of beautiful, descriptive prose… It is a complex and ambitious tale – filled with intriguing insights into human frailty and the pitfalls of hubris and obsession.”
Sawubona
“The read is simply exquisite. It will fascinate the anthropologist and warm the hearts of those who are the keepers of their families.”
Pretoria News
“Fantastic South African reading from an author to be watched.”
Classic Feel
"The present, recent past and pre-history are linked in this fascinating book"
Dries Brunt, The Citizen