Description
By: Olive Schreiner (1855-1920)
“The Story of an African Farm” by Olive Schreiner is a beautifully written novel that explores the complexities of life, love, and identity in 19th century South Africa. The story follows the lives of two young women, Lyndall and Em, as they navigate the challenges of growing up in a harsh and unforgiving landscape.
Schreiner’s prose is both lyrical and thought-provoking, drawing the reader into the richly detailed world of the African farm and its inhabitants. The characters are vividly drawn, with their hopes, fears, and desires laid bare for the reader to see. Through their experiences, Schreiner delves into themes of gender, race, and class, shedding light on the social and political realities of the time.
What truly sets this novel apart is Schreiner’s ability to capture the essence of the African landscape, painting a vivid portrait of the harsh beauty and unforgiving nature of the land. The lyrical descriptions of the farm, the mountains, and the wide-open spaces serve as a powerful backdrop to the characters’ emotional journeys.
Overall, “The Story of an African Farm” is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will linger in the reader’s mind long after the final page is turned. Olive Schreiner’s timeless tale of love, loss, and self-discovery is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of human nature and the power of the natural world.
Book Description:
The novel details the lives of three characters, first as children and then as adults – Waldo, Em and Lyndall – who live on a farm in the Karoo region of South Africa. The story is set in the middle- to late Nineteenth century – the First Boer War is alluded to, but not mentioned by name. The book is semi-autobiographical: in particular, the two principal protagonists (Waldo and Lyndall) display strong similarities to Schreiner’s life and philosophy. The book was first published in 1883 in London, under the pseudonym Ralph Iron. It quickly became a best-seller, despite causing some controversy over its frank portrayal of freethought, feminism, premarital sex and pregnancy out of wedlock and transvestitism.
