Ena Murray


Ena Murray was an Afrikaans writer. During the 33 years that she wrote full-time, 131 titles appeared from her pen. She acquired renown mainly for her romance novels, but also wrote detective fiction, espionage fiction and adventure novels through which she reached a wide audience. In addition she wrote spiritual literature and produced a volume of poetry.
She has been described has the "most read writer in Afrikaans". In a survey by Radio Sonder Grense and Tafelberg-Uitgewers she was deemed the most popular writer in Afrikaans.
Some of her books appeared in large print, aiding the visually impaired. Some were recorded by Pionier School, a special needs school in Worcester, while others were recorded by Bandhulp vir Blindes in braille en band.

Biography

Ena Murray was born in the small Karoo town of Loxton. She was the second of three daughters of the local medical practitioner, Dr. Mans. She received her schooling at Loxton and the neighbouring town of Victoria West. After matriculating she worked as a nurse.
She married Boet Murray of Loxton, thus returning to her birth town, where her literary career started in earnest. The marriage would last twenty years. After her divorce she settled in Wilderness in the southern Cape. Two years later she married Jaques Mostert and after ten years they moved to a retirement village in Mossel Bay, where she died on 4 June 2015, at the age of 78.

Research and writing style

Many of her novels were semi-biographical and these often proved popular. Apparently her readers identified with the characters, leading to filming of two novels. The first film was Vrou uit die nag by the Christian film company Carfo, and the well-known Plekkie in die son which had the theme of a leprosy shelter.
She is considered to be a thorough researcher of the topics of her novels, who doesn't start writing unless this first phase is complete. Whether it be historic, medical or geographic knowledge that is required, she is considered to be versed in the facts of each. When researching Plekkie in die son, she stayed for some time at the leprosy shelter Westfort outside Pretoria, to acquire the necessary insight into such an institution.

Literary works

Note: English titles given here are translations of the Afrikaans, and have not been available as such.

Titles (out of print)

  • Agter die masker
  • Die despoot van Duiwelskloof
  • Ena Murray-omnibus
  • Plekkie in die son
  • Gasheer van Drakeneiland
  • Baas van Babilon
  • As die wind daaroor gaan
  • Sondes van die vaders
  • Señor die seerower
  • Sê groete vir pappa
  • Die oujongnooi van Polkadraai
  • Appelbloeisels en jasmyn
  • Wanneer die nuwe dag breek
  • Dokter Julene
  • Lise
  • Die vrou in die spieël
  • Die ongebore uur
  • En die klippe sal uitroep
  • Die uurglas loop leeg
  • Omnibus 27
  • Omnibus 32
  • Omnibus 35
  • Omnibus 36
  • Omnibus 37 – The 3 titles constitute Die Meissner-sage
  • Die Meissner-kliniek
  • Dokter Julene
  • Die Ongebore Uur
  • Omnibus 38
  • Die tonnel
  • Keerkring van die hart
  • Die klippe sal uitroep
  • Omnibus 39
  • Omnibus 1
  • Omnibus 2
  • Omnibus 3
  • Omnibus 4
  • Omnibus 5
  • Vreemdeling in Eden
  • Tahiti, verre land
  • Hartklop van Hawaii
  • Omnibus 6
  • Tonge Van Vuur
  • Die Geheim van Hercule Cordier
  • Waar die Wilde Besembos Bloei
  • Omnibus 7
  • Paspoort na gevaar
  • 'n Bruidegom vir Lille
  • Martelmars van die noodlot
  • Omnibus 8
  • Heerser van die Quinta
  • Oos na die son
  • ''Merk van die skarabee''

Titles (still in print)

  • ' – These three titles constitute Die Hammanshof-sage
  • Luidende simbale
  • Dieplood
  • Groter liefde as dit
  • '
  • Die reëngod Tlaloc
  • Vlug van die albatros
  • Koning van die Kanaku
  • '
  • Die spookvrou van Santa Catalina
  • Roep van die Naguil
  • n Bruid vir graaf Debussy
  • '
  • Verwonde Jare
  • Sê Groete Vir Pappa
  • Op Pad Na Kanaän
  • Die Wit Koningin
  • '
  • Lied van die Campino's
  • Altaarvure op Kandavu
  • Koninkryk van Ricardo
  • Omnibus 13
  • Die Droster van Doringbaai
  • Die despoot van Duiwelskloof
  • Waters van Siloa
  • Omnibus 14
  • Die glimmende simitar
  • Maanlig oor die Amasone
  • n Eiland in die son
  • '
  • Sluiers van die nag
  • Wewenaar van Groene Weide
  • Boeie van goud
  • '
  • Onrus op Oshakati
  • Regters oor gister
  • Weerklank van die liefde
  • Rabbedoe van Rietkuil
  • Waar die nagtegaal sing
  • My afgemete deel
  • '
  • Diena van Die Eike
  • Soveel blye dae
  • ''Helder is die nag''