Historian releases new novel
As a sequel to Liaisons – Life in a Colonial County, it advances the history of Alexandra County from 1876, where Liaisons ended, to 1889.
South Coast historian and author Duncan du Bois penned Liaisons – Life in a Colonial County last year and has now released its sequel: Challenges in a Colonial County.
Challenges in a Colonial County, set amid the cane fields of Alexandra County on the Natal South Coast some 140 years ago, gives expression to those elements.
As a sequel to Liaisons – Life in a Colonial County, it advances the history of Alexandra County from 1876, where Liaisons ended, to 1889.
Challenges in a Colonial County is aimed at anyone interested in colonial Natal, people who are of the South Coast or have a background there, and those who seek insights on indentured labour and socio-economic conditions of that time.
“Historical novels serve a useful purpose in conveying understanding and appreciation of aspects of the past because they are woven within plots which reflect, inter alia, drama, tragedy, exploitation, collusion, romance, neglect and politics,” explained Du Bois.
“Discrimination and exploitation are undeniably dark stains which mark our past. By means of credible interaction between authentic and fictitious characters, the gaps and silences in the archival records can be illuminated and amplified to convey a deeper insight into past events and issues.”
Three themes dominate the plot, namely human rights, predatory capitalism and social reform.
It took Du Bois eight months to produce and involved a great deal of revisiting his historical archives as well as time spent in the Killie Campbell Research Library.
“Indentured at the age of 12, schooled by an exceptional mistress on a sugar estate in the Illovo area, Sarika Singh is the fictitious, central character around which much of the plot develops and proceeds.”
“The contents of Challenges provide a more detailed and analytical account of this historically neglected region of colonial Natal, casting new insights on predatory capitalism and its indifference towards human exploitation.”
The book is available at Ramsgate Stationers in Shelly Beach and The Bookshop in Scottburgh.
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