“If he had to wish, what would he wish for, he asked himself. What was there to wish for ... a wish asked for the unattainable. The impossible.”
― Dalene Matthee, Fiela se Kind
Time has polished gems like "Fiela se Kind" (1985) and "Kringe in 'n Bos" (1984) to a brilliant sheen, yet each classic sparkles with its own distinct light. Picture yourself wandering through Dalene Matthee's beloved Knysna forest, where ancient trees guard secrets. These treasured works paint portraits of South African life with strokes both bold and delicate.
Let us guide you through a literary journey that spans generations and genres.
Fiela se Kind by Dalene Matthee
Star rating: 4.05 on Goodreads
The pages of Fiela se Kind first found their way into a pair of hands in 1985. Through its pages, the author Dalene Matthee will transport you through the untamed landscapes of the Western Cape, as the story dances between Long Kloof's sweeping plains and the mysterious depths of Knysna's forest. If you are based in Cape Town, you can take Afrikaans lessons to deepen your appreciation of these works.
Plot Overview
At its heart beats the tale of young Benjamin Komoetie, whose life story would move most to tears. Picture a white child, discovered and nurtured by Fiela, then classified as a Cape Coloured woman, whose love knows no racial boundaries.
The arrival of census-takers shatters their world like a bolt of lightning, setting loose a tempest that challenges everything we understand about belonging. Benjamin, later known as Lukas, must navigate the treacherous waters between two families, two identities, and two worlds that seem impossible to reconcile.
Cultural Impact
The novel's magic has spread far beyond South Africa's shores, touching hearts across continents:
The story has been translated into many tongues, notably English, German, French, Hebrew, Dutch, Slovenian and Swedish
The following live productions have enchanted audiences:
- A stage play that brings audiences to their feet
- A musical that gives voice to its soul
- An opera that soars with its emotions.
In 1999, Fiela se Kind claimed its rightful place as runner-up for Book of the Century in a survey spanning 350 libraries, standing shoulder to shoulder with J.R.R.R. Tolkien himself.
Reading Experience
One of the leading female Afrikaans authors, Dalene Matthee's masterful weaving of environmental consciousness with the thorny issues of racism and class is bound to leave you breathless. She shows us nature's delicate balance through the wise old elephants, who seem to pass judgment on those who dare disrespect their forest kingdom.
The Knysna Forest itself becomes a character, mysterious and foreboding, yet filled with ancient wisdom. Watch how the contrast between Long Kloof's endless horizons and the forest's shadowy embrace mirrors Benjamin's own journey to find himself.
Should you wish to begin your journey through Afrikaans literature, let Fiela se Kind be your guide. This tale has sparked book club discussions that stretch long into the night, its themes echoing through our modern world with surprising relevance.
Kringe in 'n Bos by Dalene Matthee
Star rating: 4.32 on Goodreads
The ancient yellowwoods of Knysna Forest harbour countless tales, but none quite as haunting as "Kringe in 'n Bos" (Circles in a Forest). In 1984, Matthee's novel began to celebrate her quartet of forest chronicles.
Story Elements
Saul Barnard's tale echoes through these woods like an elephant's distant call. The woodcutter's son, embarks on an extraordinary quest through the shadowy forest paths. His pursuit of Oupoot, the legendary elephant bull, weaves a mesmerising dance between human ambition and nature's wisdom.
Through Saul's eyes, we witness the delicate balance between the forest dwellers and their verdant realm, his struggles against prejudice as sharp as the woodcutter's axe.
Historical Context
The late nineteenth century unfolds like a weathered map before us, marked by the footprints of change. Gold fever grips the land, whilst timber merchants and ivory hunters descend upon the forest like winter storms. The ancient ecosystem trembles beneath their boots, its fate hanging by threads as fine as spider silk.
Literary Significance
Amongst the towering giants of Afrikaans literature, this work stands tall, its branches reaching beyond South Africa to touch universal truths. My pride swelled when it was named one of only three Afrikaans books on Exclusive Books' 101 Books to Read Before You Die list.
The environmental call within its pages grows more urgent with time, yet reducing it to conservation alone misses its depth. Through Saul's quest for dignity and truth, we find ourselves within the ancient woods.
Toorberg by Etienne van Heerden
Star rating: 4 on Goodreads
Van Heerden's masterpiece will cast a spell, blurring the lines between our world and his haunting creation where the dead walk amongst the living. This groundbreaking work, which earned him a constellation of accolades, will sends shivers the spine with each reading.
Major Themes
Buried within the novel's rich soil lie seeds of South Africa's complex history:
- Afrikaner identity weighing heavy as the drought-cracked earth
- Family secrets passing like whispered curses through generations
- Land ownership tangled in roots of power and belonging
Writing Style
Etienne van Heerden's prose dances on the edge of reality, defying conventional boundaries. Twenty-four characters inhabit his pages - fourteen breathing, ten deceased - yet all speak with voices that echo in your dreams.
Through their intertwined tales, centred around a child's tragic death in a borehole, generations of history seep through like water through limestone.
Critical Reception
The literary world bowed before this masterpiece, bestowing upon it their highest honours:
- The CNA Prize for Literature
- The W.A. Hofmeyr Prize
- The Hertzog Prize
Agaat by Marlene van Niekerk
Star rating: 4.03 on Goodreads
Marlene van Niekerk's masterwork arrived like a thunderclap, shattering conventional narrative boundaries with its architectural precision.
Agaat Narrative Structure
The novel rests upon four narrative pillars, each supporting a different dimension of truth:
| Narrative Layer | Perspective | Time Period |
|---|---|---|
| Present Day | First-person | 1990s |
| Flashbacks | Second-person | 1947 to 1990s |
| Stream of Consciousness | Poetic prose | Various periods |
| Diary Entries | Personal records | 1953 to 1979 |
These strands weave together like threads in a tapestry, each lending its unique hue to the whole.
Agaat Character Analysis
The relationship between Milla de Wet and Agaat is haunting.
Their dance of power and dependence unfolds with the inevitability of Greek tragedy, yet will surprise you at every turn. Students often debate whether their bond represents South Africa's broader social metamorphosis or something more intimately human.
The literary world's response proved as complex as the novel itself:
- The Hertzog Prize in 2007 crowned its achievements
- The Sunday Times Literary Prize acknowledged its brilliance
- Translations carried its whispers across oceans
- The Independent Foreign Fiction Prize shortlist beckoned in 2008.
Kroniek van Perdepoort by Anna M. Louw
Star rating: 4 on Amazon
The shelves of South African literature hold many treasures, but "Kroniek van Perdepoort" gleams with particular brilliance. This masterwork's exploration of good and evil earned twin crowns - the CNA prize and the Hertzog prize in consecutive years (1975 and 1976). Readers across South Africa can also find support to learn the language through Afrikaans lessons.
Kroniek van Perdepoort Overview
Like a master weaver at her loom, Louw crafts her tale through three distinct threads:
- "Lykskouing" (Post-mortem)
- "Begrafnis" (Funeral)
- "Die getuies" (The witnesses)
These strands intertwine to create a complexity spanning mere days yet encompassing generations. The reverse chronology adds mystery's perfume to the air, drawing readers deeper into its labyrinth.
Kroniek van Perdepoort Analysis
The mystical heart of this work beats in four chambers, each representing a stage of spiritual awakening:
| Stage | Significance |
|---|---|
| Purging | Initial spiritual journey |
| Purification | Transformation of will |
| Illumination | Soul enlightenment |
| Unification | Connection with deity |
Kroniek van Perdepoort Legacy
The novel's influence flows like a river through our literary landscape. Its profound insights have earned it a place among the finest works in our language. Each reading reveals new facets:
- Family ties that bind and break
- Sacred symbols dancing through secular tales
- Heritage's whispers in modern ears
- Society's metamorphosis.
The Beauty of Afrikaans Tales
"Fiela se Kind" is certainly one of the best novels in Afrikaans.
Many marvel at how "Toorberg" and "Agaat" dance with reality itself, their pages shimmering with magical possibilities and narrative innovation.
These novels reach across time and culture to touch something eternally human within us all.
If you are an English speaker, we have good news for you. Some of the above-mentioned books have an English edition. Just run a Google search to find the one you are looking for. If you can read a little Afrikaans, why not try the original? For readers interested in deepening their language proficiency, consider taking online Afrikaans lessons.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
