Africa afresh

I was searching for new authors and came across Beverly Harper!  I met her son at a  workshop and heard a little about her story.  Beverly has written (at least) 7 books about Africa.  She died in 2002 after a struggle with cancer - leaving her notes for a sequel to a book she had just published.  Her family with the help of another well-known Australian writer - Peter Watt - finished the sequel in her honour.  I heard that she had been writing for magazines for some years and finally had a book accepted for publication - I think it must have been "Storms over Africa".  I was told that when she was told that the book had been accepted she had a carton of eggs in her hands and the eggs got thrown into the air (from excitement) and smashed on the floor!

I had seen her books on the book shelf, and even glanced through them some times, but had never actually bought one - am not sure why.  But after this personal connection - and my bad experience with Wilbur Smith's last book, I thought that now was the time to start!  The only book available on kindle was the final one that the family finished (Footprints of the Lion) - so I went searching for the prequel "Shadows in the Grass" and found it. So I have started with the very last book she finished.  Although her other books seem to be set in more modern times, these two books were set in the time of the last zulu war.

The book was quite a delight to read.  It reminded me of the very early Wilbur Smith books - raw and interesting and set in a time of history when great events were occurring in early Africa.  The characters were well portrayed and quickly became friends (with me, the reader).   They had their flaws and they also developed through the story - and so had some depth.  Two themes that stood out to me were: the freedom to break out of societal conventions; and also the strength of women.  There were other themes too - about the respect for the zulus (without overglamorising the nation) - and the British politics and stupidity in dealing with their 'subjects'.  Dallas finds himself on the run from Scotland after being caught in the act with the mother of his childhood sweetheart (enaged to an old man against her will) who was pregnant with his baby!!!  Hence the flight to South Africa - and being in place for adventures in the new colony and the zulu wars.  He teams up with a couple of apparent mis-fits and friendships develop.  Despite ending up married against his will himself, (blackmail about his status), he manages to end up with the girl he wants.... That's the thumbnail sketch!  And it is a good read!  So lucky I have the sequel downloaded - it will be interesting to see how the tone changes as others took her notes to finish the saga.  What a good way to honour a mother, wife, friend and colleague!

In between, I have started  reading a new Jennifer Fallon book - "Undivided" - a celtic story moving between the modern and ancient worlds.  It has a nice Jennifer Fallon feel about it and I am looking forward to the ride!  I will report. Maybe I will even get back to some philosophy and religion soon!  Enjoy reading.