Benny vs Deon

One is a tough detective who spends his days fighting crime, the other is the author who created him. But it turns out Benny Griessel and writer Deon Meyer have more in common than readers might imagine, as the author tells YOU

- JANE VORSTER

What would Benny be getting up to over the Christmas holidays?

Benny isn’t big on holidays. He thinks they’re a waste of time and watching other people drink is a little terrifying. But his fiancée, Alexa, has persuaded him to take a break. She’s booked a cottage in Paternoster over Christmas and New Year, and she has plans for romantic beach walks at sunset. Benny is not amused. But he’ll go.

And Deon?

Marianne [Vorster-Meyer, his wife] and I had planned to spend three weeks in Bordeaux on a working holiday (write in the morning, ride our bikes in the afternoons and enjoy the food and wine in the evenings), but while I’m writing this a new Covid variant is wreaking havoc on international travel and it looks like we’ll be staying at home.

What would Benny do to relax and unwind? Is he actually capable of slowing down?

Benny takes mini-breaks. Riding his mountain bike in the early morning on the slopes of Table Mountain, playing his bass guitar at home in the evening or on a gig with his band RUST on a Friday night is all he thinks he needs.

And Deon?

I’m not quite as bad as Benny –a week of doing no work is sort of my limit. I’m a creature of habit, structure and routine, and prefer to relax within that. Like cooking for our army of kids on a Sunday or mountain bike riding with Marianne. Reading, watching good movies or TV series and dining out at one of Bertus Basson’s restaurants in Stellenbosch are my other pleasures.

A gift that Benny would most appreciate finding under the Christmas tree?