Leon van Nierop talks to Rian about his new book 'Toy Boy'
Respected movie buff, writer and producer Leon van Nierop has just published his novel, 'Toy Boy'. He talks to Rian about the process of writing the book and why he felt this was an important story to tell.
Leon van Nierop knows what makes a good story. In his career as a writer, movie reviewer, and producer, Leon has had the opportunity to immerse himself in all kinds of stories and pick out that one special thing about them.
That he is also a keen observer of human nature is clear from a look at projects like Laksman and Ballade vir 'n Enkeling.
His newest novel, Toy Boy, tells the story of Tristan Hansen, an escort for Johannesburg's elite. The novel is the prequel to Leon's 2013 novel, Plesierengel.
Leon spoke to real-life escorts and their clients to ensure that everything in the book was authentic.
Leon says he wrote Toy Boy to move a specific message forward. Leon says in 2018 it is time for people to let go of the shame and stigma that comes with sexual expression and the pleasure thereof.