novelist

American novelist William Faulkner, in particular, was formative to his thinking.

The Irish novelist, perhaps unwillingly, has become a fictional voice of her generation, examining the power relationships and politics of her characters.

Even those who have died are still publishing — Le Carré’s son Nick Harkaway, a novelist in his own right, continued his father’s George Smiley legacy with a new novel last year.

"I wish there was a Le Carré quality here, you know," he said, referring to the late British spy novelist.

But Fugard, who though primarily known as a playwright was also an accomplished novelist, director and actor, understood the limits of propaganda.