Barrie Hough
Barrie Michael Hough was a South African author, journalist, playwright, and critic. He is best known for writing youth literature. He wrote in his native Afrikaans, however several of his works have been translated into English.
Early life
Barrie Hough was born in Johannesburg on January 17, 1953. His father died when he was five years old and his mother raised him and his two older brothers alone. Much of his work is based on personal experiences. His first novel, My kat word herfs, is autobiographical; Barrie had a speech impediment, like one of the main characters in the story, he stuttered. He also bred Siamese show cats. His second novel, Droomwa, is based on the time he spent with his family in Hillbrow as a child. He attended Voorbrand Primary School and later matriculated into Helpmekaar Boys High in 1970. He studied Communications at the Rand Afrikaans University where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1980 he obtained a Master of Arts degree in English with a thesis on the playwright Athol Fugard.Career
He taught at St. Barnabas College for four years and was appointed at Beeld as a full-time theater critic in 1979. Later, he wrote for Rapport on films, theater, and literature, and became one of the most influential and popular theater critics of the 1980s and 1990s. He was appointed Arts Editor in 1999. Additionally, he became a multiple award-winning author of youth literature, tackling challenging, topical, and personal themes, like belonging, fear, AIDS, and an absent father figure.Publications
My kat word herfs Droomwa Vlerkdans Skimmelstreke Skilpoppe Breek – with Lizz MeiringAwards
1984:- AA Vita Prize for Theatre Journalism
- Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature: Silver – Droomwa
- Alba Bouwer Prize, joint winner – Droomwa
- C.P. Hoogenhout Award – Droomwa
- Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature: Gold – Vlerkdans
- ATKV Children’s Book Award – Vlerkdans
- Sanlam Prize for Youth Literature: gold – Skilpoppe
- M.E.R. Prize – ''Skilpoppe''