A novel about the fight for love in a time of war
Eagle's Cry is the story about Johanna van Zweel whom on the first day of January 1900 meets William Heard. She doesn't intend to fall in love and certainly not with an Australian - a foreigner, an outlander.
An outstanding book which will be thoroughly enjoyed by all, based on childhood lore which former Barbertonian teacher and writer Liz Godwin grew up with, has recently become popular in Texas, USA. This is where the author moved at the end of 1999 and still resides with her husband Robert.
“The beauty of the town, the historical background and the wonderful people make my world a joyous place. When I taught at Barberton High I learnt to love the Swazi people, and was fascinated with their history. This story was in my bones, you could say. Then, when I showed the tentative draft to Hans Bornman and he said you must publish it, it was all the encouragement I needed,” said Liz.
Eagle’s Cry is the story about Johanna van Zweel whom on the first day of January 1900 meets William Heard. She doesn’t intend to fall in love and certainly not with an Australian. A foreigner, an outlander, William and his friend, Eddie, have come to South Africa seeking to make their fortunes in gold.
With her parents away observing the Commando Law in the Orange Free State, Johanna is tasked with ensuring Eagle’s Nest, and the family farm in Barberton, runs smoothly and efficiently to support her brothers and sisters, each of whom is a player in the arena of the cruel war.
She sees that her active duty in the war effort is to keep the farm running to provide food and horses for the commandos. She is determined to save her homeland and her kin from the imperial onslaught. William, on the other hand, pledges allegiance to the British Empire.
Set in the tumultuous years of 1899 to 1902 in South Africa, this romance between Johanna and William, both on different sides of a great conflict, charts their personal, military, and political challenges. The desperate passion of Johanna and William seems an impossibility.
The question is, can their love survive as everything they believe in forces them apart?
Currently, only 50 copies of the book are available at R210 each, but hopefully Liz will be in Barberton during the end of the year, visiting her daughter Allison Joubert and grandchildren. She will then also be available for a book signing.
“I loved Barberton. When I was there I taught at Barberton Nursery School, before Henriette van Tonder’s time. Then I taught at Hoërskool Nelspruit, then at Barberton High where my husband and I lived in the hostel.
“He was an assistant priest with Ronnie Allwright and Ian Stevens at All Saints Anglican Church, which is one of the oldest churches in the Lowveld,” said Liz.
To obtain a copy of Eagle’s Cry, email her at jacksonvilleliz@earthlink.net
