Those who call this a South African Heart of Darkness are, I think, wrong. Although it is, like Conrad’s novella, an inner journey mirroring an outer journey (in this case of two men—a geologist and a biologist—caught up in the shifting fortunes of the Second Boer War, 1899-1902), I think the Conrad metaphor is overdone. The pace is slow but it is not about the pace. I was very taken with the story but not so much with the writing. I grew more involved as time went by and it reminded me in some ways of another South African writer I am very find of, Karel Schoeman (perhaps in part because they share a translator, Elsa Silke). Recommended—and I will read more by her to see where it leads.… (more)

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Gypsy_Boy | 4 other reviews | Aug 25, 2023 |

To Hell with Cronjé by Ingrid Winterbach

Another interesting book for #WITmonth!

To Hell with Cronjé is the sixth novel by South African author Ingrid Winterbach, who has also published five titles under the pseudonym Lettie Viljoen. It is a profoundly moving meditation on male friendship and the futility of war.

Two scientists, Rietz Steyn and Ben Maritz, forge their friendship during the Boer War (1899-1902), of interest to Australians because it was the first of multiple wars overseas that Australians have chosen to join. I'd hazard a guess, however, that most Australians know little about our participation in this brutal war apart from inscriptions on war memorials and/or from the highly contested myth-making about Breaker Morant. (See my review of The Breaker by Kit Morant.)

The AWM website) tells me that about 16,000 men from what were then Britain's colonies in Australia, fought (mostly) on the British side. About 600 died, about half in action and the rest from disease or accidents. (This was from a population of less than 4 million in 1901.) Winterbach's novel is very revealing about the war that our young men volunteered for, but it was instructive to learn a little more after I'd finished reading the book because some knowledge of South African history and geography is assumed by the author.

From the British National Army Museum, I learned that

The origins of the Boer War lay in Britain's desire to unite the British South African territories of Cape Colony and Natal with the Boer republics of the Orange Free State and the South African Republic (also known as the Transvaal). The Boers, Afrikaans-speaking farmers, wanted to maintain their independence.

Map of Southern Africa, c1899, source: British National Army Museum

Neither the novel nor the museum website admit that both sides were colonisers, fighting over land dispossessed from the original inhabitants. What it does reveal is the 'gentlemen's agreement' that these bitter enemies had made, to ensure continued control over the Black population:

On the outbreak of war, the British made a tacit agreement with their Boer enemies that both sides would not arm the black population. As the war progressed, however, this stance proved difficult to maintain and they began employing armed blacks as scouts.

It is estimated that between 15,000 and 30,000 black Africans eventually served under arms with the British Army as scouts and sentries. Another 100,000 worked as labourers, transport drivers, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, farriers and builders. (National Army Museum, scroll down to the heading, 'African and Indian role')

So this explains this exchange, early in the novel when the party come across some Xhosa:

At noon, their shadows hard upon their heels, they come across three black men on horseback. The men are wearing hats and blankets. One is clad in the threadbare tunic of a Khaki [i.e. British] uniform. Another wears a feather in his hat.

'A motley crew,' Ben mutters.

The two groups come to a halt, facing each other.

'What do you want?' Willem demands. 'I trust you're not helping the Khakis.'

The men confer in Xhosa. The leader raises his hand in what appears to be a peace sign.

He and Willem bow formally.

The group passes them without further greeting.

'Tonight they're be joining General Pettingale,' Ben says.

'At least they're unarmed,' Willem says, 'and rightly so.' (p.7)

Rietz and Ben find themselves in the company of another of these Black Africans of ambiguous military status when they encounter Ezekiel in a Boer transit camp under the control of Gert Smal. Smal detains them because he doubts their story that the erratic General Senekal sent them as escorts for the postmaster-turned-soldier Willem, who is returning a very young shell-shocked soldier called Abraham to his mother. Ezekiel is the only character who has any dignity, despite being ordered about by Smal and used as an amusement because he has a freakishly good memory for Biblical quotations and facts about the war. All the others are clearly traumatised by the war, though they behave in different ways:

To read the rest of my review please visit
https://anzlitlovers.com/2022/08/24/to-hell-with-cronje-by-ingrid-winterbach-tra...… (more)

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anzlitlovers | 4 other reviews | Aug 24, 2022 |

To Hell with Cronjé by Ingrid Winterbach

Having recently visited South Africa, I have become interested in South African literature and stumbled upon another wonderful review of this book. First and foremost, I found Winterbach's writing to be beautifully clear yet lyrical, expressive and sensitive. Naturally having just seen the South African countryside, the descriptions are vivid; however, her writing allows one to almost feel the heat and smell the dust. The characters in this novel are not perfect, yet so easy to like. The background of the Boer War might be a bit confusing for the reader who is not familiar with the basics of the war, but the issues of the war become mere background for the individuals attempting to survive in its midst. This is one of the few novels I have read which so exactly paints a picture of the chaos created by war -- not "in the midst of battle" chaos, but the uncertainty, the disorder, the ambiguity, the hope and hopelessness created by war. Can anything really be so important to cause so much destruction and ruin to so many lives.

The relationship between Reitz and Ben is one of the best portrayals of male friendship I have read -- no undue drama, no philosophizing, just simple caring one for another. In short, a thoughtful, sincere, and memorable book.… (more)

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maryreinert | 4 other reviews | Sep 13, 2019 |

The Elusive Moth by Ingrid Winterbach

The Elusive Moth
Winterbach’s narrative is like a series of images which encapsulate the essence of Henri Cartier-Bresson’s decisive moment. Each scene is depicted with tension, balance and spontaneity, capturing a moment in time. The essence of a moment is revealed, yet its full meaning remains elusive.

I was not surprised to learn that the author is a visual artist. Her work is hyper-visual and full of symbolism. Her descriptions of art are captivating, especially as they mirror the surrounding events. There is so much to this novel, I will be dissecting it for days to come. Well done!… (more)

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BALE | 1 other review | Aug 29, 2018 |

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