My Mother’s Laughter brings together a selection from the debut volume and also the poems which appeared in Van Wyk’s memoirs.
Chris van Wyk’s first (and only) book of poems, It Is Time to Go Home, was published in 1979 when he was 22 years old. He went on to become a well-known and much-loved writer of memoirs, biographies, fiction and children’s stories. But he continued to write poems; some were published in literary magazines and some in his memoir Shirley, Goodness & Mercy (2004). This volume brings together a selection of these poems, along with a substantial selection from his first book.
Chris van Wyk (1957-2014) grew up and lived most of his life in Riverlea, a small township west of Johannesburg surrounded by mine dumps. He was fascinated by literature from a very young age, and as a teenager began publishing his poems in local newspapers. In 1979 Ad Donker published his book of poems It Is Time To Go Home, which was to be the only collection of his poems published in his lifetime.
Van Wyk wrote over 20 books, including children’s books, fiction and political biographies. He also edited the literary magazine Staffrider from 1981 to 1986. He always found time to give talks and readings, and impart to young people his love of storytelling. His 2004 childhood memoir Shirley, Goodness & Mercy, full of lively humour, became a widely read bestseller.
