Karel Schoeman (Afrikaans pronunciation: [ˈkɑːrəl ˈskuman], 26 October 1939 – 1 May 2017) was a South African novelist, historian, translator and man of letters.

He won the most prestigious Afrikaans literary award, the Hertzog Prize, three times: in 1971 (for By Fakkellig, ’n Lug vol helder wolke and Spiraal), 1986 (’n Ander land) and in 1995 (Hierdie lewe).

In more recent years, his fiction garnered much praise in France, winning inter alia the prestigious Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger in 2009.

[5] Schoeman produced and published several screenplays, including an adaptation of his first novel, Veldslag, some of which were broadcast on South African national television during the 1980s.

[8] He wrote openly about his reasons and plans for ending his life in Slot van die Dag (translated as At Close of Day), which was published shortly after his death.