This review was posted to Amazon.com in April 2012:
"This is a very readable book. A fascinating insight into the countries and the
era of the settlement of Africa by the British, and the Boer War. It's quite
racy, so not for the children! I enjoyed the developing relationships between
the main characters. They meet and part, and then meet again; all this happens
while there are great upheavals caused by wars in the region, so it's not easy
for them to keep in touch. There's something in the book for men (the war
background) and women (love themes for four interesting characters)."
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Another review of this great historical novel!
This review of 'The Settler' was posted on Amazon.com in March 2012:
"I loved this book. It takes you on a grand sweep through twelve years of history, with the bonus of interesting, well-developed characters. I don't know a great deal about the history of Southern Africa, so I can't comment on the authenticity of the description of events. There are certainly plenty of incidents in the book that make for exciting reading. The scenes are quite vivid, enabling me to visualise events after reading a few well-chosen words.
The author cleverly interweaves the main characters with the historical background. The main character, Martin (The Settler), is well drawn, and his relationships with the four main female characters are realistic and quite poignant. His abrasive companionship with the American, Perry, is also well described. The four women are delightful, they are quite different in their personalities and very engaging. The characters are accidentally buffeted by wars and extreme hardship, with intervening, rather brief, periods of peace.
Some of the episodes are very graphic - notably when the Boers are besieged on the bank of the Modder River at the Battle of Paardeberg. You can almost smell the wood fires and the rotting carcasses. There were some episodes that illustrated well the carnage and suffering in war that often resulted from crass decisions by politicians and stupid generals.
The narrative starts at a leisurely, almost Victorian, pace, but then gathers momentum until it hurtles to its conclusion twelve years later. If I have a criticism of the novel it's that it reaches its conclusion rather too quickly. Perhaps it was my disappointment that I had to leave characters and a saga that had absorbed me so much.
I thoroughly recommend this book for those who enjoy serious historical novels that seem to be about real, believable people."
"I loved this book. It takes you on a grand sweep through twelve years of history, with the bonus of interesting, well-developed characters. I don't know a great deal about the history of Southern Africa, so I can't comment on the authenticity of the description of events. There are certainly plenty of incidents in the book that make for exciting reading. The scenes are quite vivid, enabling me to visualise events after reading a few well-chosen words.
The author cleverly interweaves the main characters with the historical background. The main character, Martin (The Settler), is well drawn, and his relationships with the four main female characters are realistic and quite poignant. His abrasive companionship with the American, Perry, is also well described. The four women are delightful, they are quite different in their personalities and very engaging. The characters are accidentally buffeted by wars and extreme hardship, with intervening, rather brief, periods of peace.
Some of the episodes are very graphic - notably when the Boers are besieged on the bank of the Modder River at the Battle of Paardeberg. You can almost smell the wood fires and the rotting carcasses. There were some episodes that illustrated well the carnage and suffering in war that often resulted from crass decisions by politicians and stupid generals.
The narrative starts at a leisurely, almost Victorian, pace, but then gathers momentum until it hurtles to its conclusion twelve years later. If I have a criticism of the novel it's that it reaches its conclusion rather too quickly. Perhaps it was my disappointment that I had to leave characters and a saga that had absorbed me so much.
I thoroughly recommend this book for those who enjoy serious historical novels that seem to be about real, believable people."
Sequel to The Settler
I'm now writing a sequel to 'The Settler', set in Nyasaland (now Malawi) during the First World War. Martin Russell, the main protagonist of the 'The Settler' is asked by General Edward Northey to lead a commando along the eastern shore of the great Lake Nyasa (seventh largest in the world), and into German East Africa (now Tanzania). Their task is to gain intelligence about the activities of the German forces under the command of General Paul Emil von Lettow Vorbeck. Martin's force includes a young RNVR officer, and his cousin, both coffee planters who have volunteered to serve in the war, and two sisters, nurses who grew up in the country and speak the local dialects fluently. They achieve success despite tremendous hardships, but suffer tragic losses. The novel is based on historical facts, including the Battle of Karonga, the first naval engagement of the war, and the insurrection led by John Chilembwe.
I have drawn on my long (though sporadic) experience of Nyasaland/Malawi in the period 1947-1986, during which I travelled the length and breadth of the country and learned to speak Chichewa fluently.
I have drawn on my long (though sporadic) experience of Nyasaland/Malawi in the period 1947-1986, during which I travelled the length and breadth of the country and learned to speak Chichewa fluently.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
My latest review
This is an extract from a review of Brian Duncan's historical novel 'The Settler' that was posted yesterday on Amazon.com:
This book is in the top bracket regarding context and historical accuracy. My wife lived in Zimbabwe, or Rhodesia as the country was then known, for a number of decades. The plot and narrative are very good; far better in our opinion than a Wilbur Smith novel! This is in part due to historical accuracy and balance, but mainly due to the principal characters and their relationships. We were particularly struck by the sensitivity and insight the author had for the female 'protagonists'. I liked the portrayal of the differing approaches to the four main nationalities in the novel, particularly the Shona view of the coming of the pioneer column. Maybe more could be have been incorporated of the huge influence that traditional beliefs and superstitions the Shona had/and still do have on their way of life. Overall I cannot fault this book; my wife and I look forward to the next one, especially as we have had a lifetime connection with Malawi and its people. One minor quibble is that a glossary of local terms would be useful to those readers that do not have experience of southern Africa. It would helpful as well to incorporate a map of the route of Rhodes' pioneer column and of the battle fields in the two wars covered in the book.
This book is in the top bracket regarding context and historical accuracy. My wife lived in Zimbabwe, or Rhodesia as the country was then known, for a number of decades. The plot and narrative are very good; far better in our opinion than a Wilbur Smith novel! This is in part due to historical accuracy and balance, but mainly due to the principal characters and their relationships. We were particularly struck by the sensitivity and insight the author had for the female 'protagonists'. I liked the portrayal of the differing approaches to the four main nationalities in the novel, particularly the Shona view of the coming of the pioneer column. Maybe more could be have been incorporated of the huge influence that traditional beliefs and superstitions the Shona had/and still do have on their way of life. Overall I cannot fault this book; my wife and I look forward to the next one, especially as we have had a lifetime connection with Malawi and its people. One minor quibble is that a glossary of local terms would be useful to those readers that do not have experience of southern Africa. It would helpful as well to incorporate a map of the route of Rhodes' pioneer column and of the battle fields in the two wars covered in the book.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Great reviews!
'The Settler' now has eight 5-star reviews on Amazon.com. It is placed #35 in 'Historical novels, Africa' when you do a search based on 'average reviews'. Please keep those reviews coming!
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