An Instant in the Wind

by André Brink

Shortlisted for the 1976 Booker Prize The year is 1749, when the Boers ruled South Africa. And so it has come to his Baas's final command to his Hottentot slave Adam, to flog his mother, because she refuses to prune the master's vineyard in order to attend her own beloved mother's funeral. And when he refuses to do so, and his Baas smashes his face with a piece of wood, Adam turns on him, and beats him almost to death. Then he flees to South Africa's veld. There he comes to the rescue of Elizabeth, a white woman, and the only person to survive her husband's expedition in the vast South African interior. Alone and terrified, she pleads with the runaway slave to bring her back to the Cape and her home. Adam agrees because he believes by rescuing Elizabeth, he will be awarded his own freedom. This, then is the stunning story of their trek together, how they find in each other their mutual need and humanity, and finally how their days together turn into an unforgettable, tender love story.

Genres: Africa, Fiction, South Africa, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Love, African Literature

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

André Philippus Brink was a South African novelist. He wrote in Afrikaans and English and was until his retirement a Professor of English Literature at the University of Cape Town.

In the 1960s, he and Breyten Breytenbach were key figures in the Afrikaans literary movement known as Die Sestigers ("The Sixty-ers"). These writers sought to use Afrikaans as a language to speak against the apartheid government, and also to bring into Afrikaans literature the influence of contemporary English and French trends. His novel Kennis van die aand (1973) was the first Afrikaans book to be banned by the South African government.

Brink's early novels were often concerned with the apartheid policy. His final works engaged new issues raised by life in postapartheid South Africa.

Reviews

[Hugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This must have been a very brave book to write in mid-70s South Africa. This historical romance may be a little fanciful in places but is still a very powerful story. The setting is the hinterland of Cape Town in 1749. The background is set by the first chapter, which lays out the bare bones of the story in a dry academic style, and gives away the lack of a fairytale ending.

Elisabeth Louw is a young woman of mixed Dutch and French parentage who was brought up in Cape Town. She meets and marries an older Swedish naturalist Erik Larsson, thinking he will offer her a route out of the narrow expectations of colonial society. She joins him on an ill-fated expedition to explore the hinterland of the Cape colony where he hopes to classify the local wildlife. Their expedition fails - an attack by a lion proves Larsson a coward, their so-called guide kills himself and their Hottentot helpers desert them along with most of their mules, and Larsson himself disappears while chasing a bird. Elisabeth is left alone with her wagon and two mules many days from help, but is found by Adam, a former slave who has escaped from Robben Island and leads an itinerant life, learning survival skills from the local Hottentots.

Most of the book describes Elisabeth's changing relationship with Adam as he helps her return to the Cape - a dangerous journey in which they come close to death many times and learn that the harsh realities and societal expectations that separate them are much less important than their common humanity. We know from the start that their relationship cannot survive the return to the colony.

This is a wonderful book which fully merited its Booker shortlisting and could easily have won.

[Skip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the late 1700s, Elizabeth Larsson, an enterprising white woman, accompanies her new husband on an exploratory trip into the South African interior, where he abandons her. Alone, she is found by a black man, Adam Mantoor, who has escaped slavery and imprisonment, after refusing to beat his own mother at the behest of the baas. Adam takes pity on Elizabeth, and together they try to get back to civilization across the harsh, unfriendly wilds of South Africa, trekking through the tropical forests of the Eastern Cape, across swollen, raging floodwaters, through lush forests, battling wildlife, and across the burning desert, the Karoo. As they learn to rely more and more upon one another, their bond deepens, eventually falling in love by shedding their prejudices and suspicions. Their resolve to remain together along with their relationship was undermined by the hostile environment, and their path home to the Cape seemed needlessly long. Brink's writing is evocative.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, memorable, well written novel about Elisabeth Larsson, a white educated young woman and Adam Mantoor, a black runaway slave, stranded in the wilderness of the South African interior, during 1750 - 51. Elisabeth married Erik Larsson, a Swedish traveller / explorer and within a year of her marriage, the couple with a number of oxen and extensive luggage, journey into the interior of the Cape of Good Hope. Erik goes missing on one of his daily explorations. Adam Mantoor finds Elisabeth, alone and waiting for her husband to return. Adam had escaped from his owner and had survived for over five years in the South African wilderness.

This book was first shortlisted for the 1976 Booker Prize.

[Μιχάλης Παπαχατζάκης · Rating 4 out of 5]

«Σε φοβάμαι. Ναι, μέσα σ' εκείνο το σκοτάδι είμαι έτοιμη να το παραδεχτώ. Ο μόνος τρόπος για να σε ελέγχω, είναι να σε προστάζω. Να γίνομαι η λευκή γυναίκα του Ακρωτηρίου, την οποία μισώ. Ο φόβος είναι πιο επιτακτικός από την αξιοπρέπειά μου» (σελ.76)

Τί γίνεται αν ένας λευκός άνθρωπος έχει πρόθεση να υπερβεί τον ρατσισμό, με τον οποίον βασίστηκε μια κοινωνία για να ευημερήσει; Η κοινωνία θα τον επαναφέρει βίαια (ψυχολογικά ή αλλιώς) στο δήθεν πεπρωμένο του. Η προσωπική, μεμονωμένη, υπέρβαση δεν θα μπορούσε παρά να αποτελέσει "Μια στιγμή στον άνεμο". Ο νοτιοαφρικάνος (λευκός) Αντρέ Μπρινκ, στο ομώνυμο μυθιστόρημα που έγραψε μεταξύ του 1973 και 1975, αναρωτήθηκε γι' αυτό (όπως και πολλοί άλλοι) και απάντησε: Δεν αρκούν οι καλές προθέσεις. Όμως το μυθιστόρημα είναι τυπικά μια ερωτική ιστορία. Και εδώ υπάρχουν παρατηρήσεις: Ένα από τα κορυφαία στελέχη του αμερικάνικου κόμματος των "Μαύρων Πανθήρων", ο Έλντριτζ Κλήβερ, έγραφε στην αυτοβιογραφία του ("Ψυχή στον Πάγο") το 1968 ότι ο έρωτας ενός άσπρου με μια μαύρη ήταν ανεκτός· ήταν ανεκτός στα πλαίσια πατριαρχικών αντιλήψεων και καταλοίπων. Το αντίθετο όμως με τίποτα. Ήταν αδιανόητο: η πρωταγωνίστρια του μυθιστορήματος, η Ελίζαμπεθ Λάρσον, κρύβει τον ρόλο που έχει ο "εγχρωμος" (coloured) πρώην σκλάβος και φυγάς Άνταμ, ώστε να γίνει δεκτή σ' ένα αγρόκτημα ενός "ευρωπαίου" (european) και έτσι να επιβιώσει αυτή και ο μαύρος εραστής της (και σωτήρας της) από τις κακουχίες της διάσχισης μιας απροσπέλαστης ερήμου, βόρεια της επαρχίας του Ακρωτηρίου.

Για τον αναγνώστη είκοσι χρόνια μετά τη συγγραφή του μυθιστορήματος, κάποια ονόματα που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν έρχονται μυστικιστικά να δέσουν με την κανονική ιστορία: Ντε Κλερκ, ο άσπρος κτηματίας που έστειλε τον Άνταμ να κοιμηθεί με τους δούλους στην κουζίνα κι επιχείρησε να βιάσει την Ελίζαμπεθ και (Φρεντερίκ) Ντε Κλερκ, ο τελευταίος άσπρος πρωθυπουργός της Νοτίου Αφρικής. Ακρωτήρι, η αποικιακή πόλη-ορμητήριο των κατακτητών της Νοτίου Αφρικής και πόλη του Ακρωτηρίου, η μόνη περιοχή που πλειοψήφησε στις πρώτες -θριαμβευτικές για το Εθνικό Αφρικανικό Κογκρέσσο του Νέλσονα Μαντέλα- εκλογές του 1994 το "Εθνικό Κόμμα" των λευκών, με επικεφαλής των Ντε Κλερκ. Νήσος Ρόμπεν, ο τόπος φυλάκισης του Άνταμ και νήσος Ρόμπεν, ο τόπος φυλάκισης του Μαντέλα.

Πριν όμως πούμε για το μυθιστόρημα, ας πούμε για τον συγγραφέα: Σπούδασε στην Ευρώπη, στη Γαλλία, όταν έπνεε άνεμος προοδευτισμού. Ξαναταξίδεψε εκεί όταν ο άνεμος ήταν πια εξεγερτικός. Όταν ξεκίνησε να γράφει, το Εθνικό Αφρικανικό Κογκρέσσο και το Κομμουνιστικό Κόμμα, ξεκίνησαν από κοινού ένοπλο αγώνα κατά του Απαρτχάιντ, τότε δηλαδή που και πολιτικά τέθηκε ότι οι καλές προθέσεις προοδευτικών λευκών δεν αρκούν. Το απέδειξε και ο ίδιος: το πρώτο του βιβλίο απαγορεύτηκε απ' τους ομοεθνείς του και το δεύτερο, το παρόν, κυκλοφόρησε αρχικά μόνο σε συνδρομητές. Ο Αντρέ Μπρινκ ήταν "ύπουλος", κατά μια έννοια: έγραφε στα α φ ρ ι κ ά α ν ς, τη γλώσσα των σκληρότερων ρατσιστών, για να τοποθετηθούν στη λογοτεχνία τους και βιβλία υπέρ των μαύρων, προοδευτικά.

Η ιστορία είναι υπέροχη. Τοποθετείται στα 1749, όταν εκτός από κάποιες παραλιακές πόλεις, οι ευρωπαίοι δεν ήλεγχαν την ενδοχώρα. Οργάνωναν καραβάνια εξερεύνησης ή/και εμπορίου προς τις άγνωστες εκτάσεις και σ' ένα απ' αυτά παρούσα ήταν η πρωταγωνίστρια Ελίζαμπεθ Λάρσον, μαζί με τον φυσιοδίφη άντρα της Έρικ Λάρσον και τον οδηγό βαν Ζιλ, με δυο άμαξες γεμάτες προμήθειες: «Τις άμαξες ακολουθούσαν τριάντα δύο βόδια, τέσσερα άλογα, οχτώ σκυλιά, δεκαπέντε κοτόπουλα και έξι Οτεντότοι» (σελ.15). (οι Οτεντότοι ήταν φυλή μαύρων που κανονικά λεγόταν Κχόι-κχόι. Οτεντότος σημαίνει στα αφρικάανς ο πνευματικά καθυστερημένος). Ο συγγραφέας, είπαμε, είναι ύπουλος: αρχικά βάζει τους μαύρους στην καταμέτρηση μαζί με τα ζώα. Μετά το τροπάρι αλλάζει. Παράλληλα -και χωρίς να το μαθαίνουμε παρά αργότερα- συμβαίνει η περιπλάνηση του Άνταμ στη γη των Οτεντότων, μετά την απόδρασή του από τα κάτεργα της νήσου Ρόμπεν όπου φυλακίστηκε επειδή ξυλοκόπησε τον Αφέντη του.

Ο άντρας της εξαφανίζεται και μπροστά της εμφανίζεται ο Άνταμ. Τα πάντα ανατρέπονται.

[Maritina Mela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Αυτό εδώ, άνετα θα μπορούσε να πάρει 5 αστέρια αλλά:

- Μάς αποκάλυψε το τέλος στις πρώτες 12 σελίδες.
- Είχε πολλές περιγραφές και κάποιες από αυτές, κακά τα ψέμματα, ήταν αχρείαστες.
- Στα σημεία που χρειάζονταν οι περιγραφές, καμιά φορά δεν υπήρχαν (π.χ. η πρώτη φορά που οι πρωταγωνιστές μας κάνουν έρωτα, ή η στιγμή που συλλαμβάνουν τον Άνταμ φίλε, μήπως στο τέλος βαρέθηκε ο συγγραφέας και είπε να τα παρατήσει και να τελειώνει μια ώρα αρχίτερα;)
- Ορισμένες σκηνές επαναλαμβάνονταν χωρίς λόγο, κυρίως όνειρα και flashbacks.
- Υπήρχαν κάτι άκυρα time jumps που σχεδόν σου προκαλούσαν ίλιγγο.
- Έτσι όπως ήταν δομημένη η ιστορία, υπήρχαν φάσεις που ήταν δύσκολο να ξεχωρίσεις αν οι ήρωες ονειρεύονται οι αναφέρονται σε γεγονότα που ήδη συμβαίνουν.

Όμως:

- Ήταν καλογραμμένο.
- Οι ήρωες ήταν περίπλοκοι.
- Οι σκηνές που ήθελε ο συγγραφέας να είναι δυνατές και να προκαλέσουν συναισθήματα, ήταν δυνατές.
- Το θέμα ήταν πρωτότυπο.
- Η σχέση ανάμεσα στο ζευγάρι με λύγισε λιγάκι, πράγμα που το ευχαριστήθηκα γιατί είχα καιρό να νοιαστώ για ζευγάρι σε βιβλίο.

Οπότε για όλα αυτά αλλά και για άλλα πολλά, 4 αστεράκια από εμένα με πολλή αγάπη :)

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Instant In The Wind is arguably André Brink’s masterpiece. In the guise of an historical novel set in the eighteenth century, Brink presents a superb portrait in miniature of the dilemmas and contradictions facing a South Africa organised by an assumption of apartheid. Unlike many stories of conflict, however, an Instant In The Wind is no tragedy. Unusually, the novel is a remarkable tale of fear, struggle and eventual survival that leaves the reader with an uplifting positive message on the value and potential of human cooperation. It’s an historical novel, it’s a travel book, it’s a road story, it deals with relationships between consenting adults and there are several battles with nature. And it’s positive. What a mix!

The story revolves around just two people who have been unwittingly thrown together. For most of the book’s duration, there is no-one else in view, literally, as the two principals wander across deserted landscapes in search of both safety and ultimately themselves. She is Elisabeth Larssen, née Louw, of the Cape. Elisabeth is married to a Swedish traveller, adventurer and aspiring scientist called Erik Alexis Larssen. Erik is a bearded and rather myopic pursuer of facts. He wants to catalogue things, usually from afar, an approach he applies to his relationship with his wife. The husband is considerably older than the wife and their communication does not run deep, their mutual understanding even shallower.

The other, the ‘he’ of the story, is Adam Mantoor, a runaway slave, a black man, or even a brown man, perhaps, but definitely not a white man. And therefore, according to the mores within which Elisabeth has been raised, he is not even a man, but he might be something to be feared. He has a past which becomes partially revealed. There is surely a history to be told about this life, but he is not willing - or perhaps not able - to tell it. What he is able to do, however, is crucial for André Brink’s story: he can survive.

And so when Larsson sets off on his desired expedition of intended discovery to the interior beyond the Cape, he must organise the transport and bearing of much chattel, whose inventory is known to include his wife. Elisabeth is used to the domestic life and fears what might befall them in what she sees as a wilderness. How will she cope? Probably none too well.

The expedition did not progress as planned. There was internal strife, theft and attacks. And then Erik Larssen disappeared without trace, leaving Elisabeth in the wilderness alone with a man she regarded as a savage, a runaway slave of a different race. Inevitably their plight required them to liaise, but initially Elisabeth seems to assume that relationships that pertain in ‘civilised’ society might be maintained. She has a lot to learn. The trek ahead of them to safety is dauntingly long and they have only one another for support. The path is long, unclear and dangerous. There are hostile people and wild animals plus some unwelcoming homesteads. There are rivers to ford, deserts to cross, mountains to climb, little water and less food.

Elisabeth is initially revolted by Adam. She is terrified of him, and he is deeply suspicious, even afraid of her. But his knowledge is essential for their survival. She wants to return to the Cape, but a miscarriage and illness complicate things. He is fearful of what might happen to him if he returns to the Cape, for there is unfinished business around this man. Together they struggle, survive and gradually learn to live alongside and then depend upon one another.

An Instant In the Wind is no historical account. The facts are non-existent about the real people, but their imagined story sounds more than merely plausible, and its telling is pure delight. In places, the reader almost feels the thirst and hunger, and senses all the dangers. Equally, Elisabeth and Adam’s growing ecstasy also becomes almost tangible as they realise, their races apparently apart, that their humanity is shared.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know why this book had such an impact on me, but it did. It continues to haunt me and it's out of print. It had just the right blend of history, adventure, sociology, psychology and...well....love. I read this book and went on to read "A Dry White Season" and I think "Looking INto Darkness." It was a long time ago. Great read.

[Czarny Pies · Rating 2 out of 5]

"An Instant in the Wind" is a powerful fable about the South Africa's apartheid regime which recounts the epic journey of a young white widow, Elisabeth, and a runaway black slave, Adam from the remotest region of the country to Cape Town. Although set in 1749, the two protagonists belong to the twentieth century. Elisabeth is educated and wishes to be her own person. Adam is lucid and analyses the white society in modern sociological terms.
Elisabeth is the sole survivor of an expedition led by her husband to study the flora and fauna of interior South Africa that comes to an brutal end. Adam then arrives to rescue Elisabeth. The two undertake a voyage of several months to Cape Town. The two must meet and overcome multiple dangers from the animals that they encounter and the extreme heat of the lands that they must cross. They become lovers and in their own eyes a married couple.
Once they arrive at their destination they understand that their days of happiness are over. Their courage which has allowed them to overcome so many natural perils, can do nothing about the racist character of South African society. On this sad note "An Instant in the Wind" comes to an end.
No hope is offered. The events take place at a time when Apartheid is being created. The rules are becoming stricter and no one is promising any leniency in the future.
Unfortunately, the novel from beginning to end is in dreadful taste. For me the low point was when Elisabeth and Adam to avert death by starvation eat their dog. I would not recommend "An in the Instant in the Wind" to lovers of either pets or literary refinement.

[Old Man JP · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable love story combined with a great adventure story that takes place in South Africa in the year 1751. It's the tale of a young woman who is left stranded in the middle of the wilderness after her naturalist husband loses everything on a scientific expedition and commits suicide. She is discovered by an escaped slave who takes it upon himself to rescue her and take her back to civilization in spite of her arrogance and superior attitude. A love affair slowly developed between them in their travels back to the Cape that would became a several months long harrowing trek. It's an exceptional book that I literally couldn't put down until I had finished reading it.

[Ilze Paegle-Mkrtčjana]

Vispār jau apsveicams mēģinājums paplašināt žanra robežas, prasmīgi modificējot un daiļprozā ietērpjot diezgan klasisku vēsturiskās lubenes shēmu. Diemžēl tas nepaglābj no neveiksmes. DNF pēc 40% - enough is enough!

[Siv30 · Rating 4 out of 5]

הספר פורסם לראשונה בשנת 1976, אז האפרטהייד שלט בדרום אפריקה וההפרדה הגזעית נחשבה למקור הרעה החולה של הארץ.

אנדרה ברינק נחשב עד היום לאחד הסופרים הטובים של דרום אפריקה. הוא כתב 17 רומאנים ובינהם : "רגע ברוח", "עונת יובש לבנה", "שמועות על גשם" ועוד.

ברינק מצייר את הקסם של המתיולוגיה הקואית בה תפילה לגמל שלמה מבטאת אמונה באלוהים. הרומאנים שלו נחשבים למעוררי מחלוקת גם בגלל הנושאים הרגישים בהם טיפל, כמו יחסים בין גזעיים באפריקה השחורה.

אליזבת לארסון ואדם מאנטור נפגשים בכורח הנסיבות. היא אישה לבנה שהתלוותה למסעו של בעלה השבדי, אריק לארסון, אל פנים כף התיקווה הטובה, הוא עבד שחור שברח מעול אדוניו.

השנים האמורות, 1749- 1751. אדם מוצא את אליזבת נטושה בלב הג'ונגל ממתינה לאריק שיצא אחרי ציפור נדירה ולא שב. הוא מבטיח לקחת אותה לים היא חסרת ישע ותלויה בו בלית ברירה נתלווה אליו במסעו שהופך למסעה.

הספר מתחלק ל-3 חטיבות מרכזיות: המסע מלב הג'ונגל אל חוף הים. החיים על חוף הים והחזרה אל הצוויליזציה.

מבין המילים מצטיירת המציאות הקשה של הצדדים למסע: חיי העבדים בשירות הלבנים, היחס המשפיל והמבזה לשחורים, ההלקאות, המוות, העבדות, הרצון לברוח כשאין לאן. מצד שני, חייה של האישה הכבולה במוסכמות החברה בשירותו של בעליה מבלי יכולת לפרוץ ולממש את עצמה.

מבחינה מסויימת פתאום אדם ואליזבת הופכים לדומים, שניהם מחפשים את החופש הנשגב ואינם יכולים להשיגו גם כשהם חופשיים מכבלי החברה בה הם חיי, משל, החופש אינו עניין של מצב גופני אלא של תודעה קיומית.

גם מקומו של הטבע לא נפקד: ארץ סחופת רוחות אוכלת יושביה, ג'ונגל מצד אחד ומדבר מצד שני. חוסר הישע של האדם מול הטבע ומאבק ההישרדות היומיומי דוחף את הסיפור הלאה אל הסוף הבלתי אפשרי אבל הצפוי שלו.

מערכת היחסים בין אדם לאליזבת מקבלת בשלב כל שהו תפנית לא אמינה בעניי, אבל, מאחר והסיפור ככללו מרתק ואינו נסמך רק על מערכת היחסים בינהם אלא גם על תהליכים שעוברות הדמויות בתוכן עם הניסיון לשרוד את המסע הקשה, מערכת היחסים הופכת לזניחה ברוב רובו של הספר.

החלק שהכי ריתק אותי הוא המסע חזרה, אני חושבת שאז הדמויות מגיעות לבשלות שחסרה להן בחלק הראשון והשני של הספר.

הספר לא קל, לקח לי כשבועיים לסיים אותו, אבל הוא משאיר את הקורא עם תחושה מזעזעת של המציאות שבה האנשים חיו עד לפני זמן לא רב. אי אפשר להגיד שהספר גורם להנאה במובנה הרגיל, אבל הוא מספק מלאות מסיומת שנובעת מההכרה בגורל הדמויות.

מומלץ בחום.

[Zheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Andre Brink books I read. He is a first rate author but virtually unknown in the states. I had to buy his books from London. Like most of his books, it is based in apartheid South Africa. This particular one tells a story from the 1700s', much eariler than most of his books' background. It desribes a white woman and a runaway slave walking for a whole year from northern party of South Africa back to Cape Town, after a disastrous exploration of the woman's husband (an explorer from Northern Europe, who had no idea what he was getting into in the south africa jungle).

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second novel by this author. Once again, I was astounded by the beauty of his writing. This is one of the most masterfully crafted books I have ever read.

It is poetically written, risky, and utterly deliberate in its social challenge. The two characters Brink brings to life endear themselves to you, and, in my opinion, will rest in the recesses of your mind for many years.

I was shaken by the descriptions of the South African landscape, feeling inspired to explore the raw beauty of a land filled with some a mixed past.

Captivating!

[Chaitra · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were portions of this book where I thought I would mark this one of my favorites, but mostly I found it repetitive and circular. There is too that I don't care for star-crossed love stories. This was one of them. But mostly I was bugged by Elizabeth's so-called defiance being realized by a series of stupid decisions. Every single one of them hers.

[Katya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely leaves you thinking what happened next... it will keep revolving in my mind for some time. Leaving the landscape descriptions aside (a bit too heavy for me), their story is powerfull, a story of self-discovery, wild passion, love, despair, faith, life and survival right until the end!

[Elsa Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Não foi um Livro que Eu va guardar na Memória, mas valeu a Pena a Leitura nem que seja para nos fazer ver que bem vistas as coisas somos mesmo todos iguais nas nossas diferenças.

[Mika Auramo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eteläarfrikkalaisen (kirjallisuuden professori) André Brinkin Tuokio tuulessa on rotusorron vastainen romaani, jossa valkoinen nainen rakastuu karanneeseen orjaan. Vaikka itse tarina on aika lattea ja melodramaattinen, kerronnallisin keinoin saadaan lukijaa koukutettua. Se toimii siten, että ensimmäisessä luku on ikään kuin johdanto tragediaan. Siinä pohditaan hatarien muistelmien avulla joitakin asioita päähenkilöistä, joita sitten taustoitetaan eli limitetään varsinaiseen kertomukseen, jolloin motiivit avautuvat vähitellen.

Protagonistina toimii muuan Elisabeth Larsson, joka on miehensä Erikin kanssa tutkimusmatkalla 1700-luvulla jossain päin eteläistä Afrikkaa. Ennen pitkää koko retkikunta joutuu katastrofiin, ja paikalle pyyhältää Adam Mantoon -niminen karkulainen. Lopulta Adam ja Elisabet jäävät kahden, ja Brink kuvaakin onnistuneesti rotujen välisiä ennakkoluuloja. Niin kuin arvata saattaa, nämähän rakastuvat toisiinsa ihan niin kuin jossain Untinen-Auelin romanttisissa tarinoissa, mutta silti tulevaisuuden synkkä varjo hiipii horisonttiin. Auvoista onnea ei kestä kauan, ja kylmää talvea pakoon lähdetään ihmisten ilmoille ja sivistyksen pariin.

Seikkailu päättyy, ja tiet erkanevat. Jo alussa paljastettu Adamin kuolema jätetään avoimeksi. Sitä edeltää viimeinen yhteinen yö, joka on kuin jostain Hemingwayn kertomuksessa – tosin aiemminhan jo kerrottiin, että huonostihan tässä lopulta pariskunnalle kävi.

[Chris Mantei · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times, a little drawn out with the details and descriptions of the setting. I also felt like the ending was not as clear nor poignant as it could have been. "An Instant in the Wind" is a tale about star crossed lovers trying to survive the South African wilderness despite their fate having already been decided by societal conditions and opinions. It says a lot about one's hope for positive change and acceptance, as well as shedding preconceived notions developed by your surroundings rather than those developed yourself. Ultimately, a sad but honest story which I would recommend to another reader.

[aya · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS SO PRETTY it's definitely one of my favorites. i never thought i'd be so fascinated by a "love-story" xD. it goes deep into psychology to reveal about the most intimate things about love in all its complexities, survival, and the existential struggle, with magical attention to details. it was such a great journey.💖

[Célia | Estante de Livros · Rating 4 out of 5]

André Brink é um conhecido escritor sul-africano, cujo trabalho de ficção é pela primeira vez publicado em Portugal com este Um Instante ao Vento, que fez parte da shortlist para o Man Booker Prize de 1976. A sua obra é conhecida por abordar questões relacionadas com o apartheid, tendo inclusivamente escrito vários dos seus romances em africânder, e simultaneamente em inglês.

O ponto de partida de Um Instante ao Vento é a descoberta de documentos do séc. XVIII, que relatam uma expedição ao interior da África do Sul, empreendida pelo marido da protagonista do livro, Elizabeth Larsson, que também fez parte da mesma. Depois de a expedição ser atacada e de Elizabeth se ver sozinha no meio da selva, os documentos revelam que ela acabou por conseguir voltar à Cidade do Cabo dois anos depois, com a ajuda de um escravo fugitivo, Adam, mas pouco mais se sabe sobre a viagem que empreenderam, para além de algumas frases que Elizabeth deixou e que dão a entender que muito ficou por contar. Não consegui perceber (mesmo após pesquisar) se os documentos referidos são reais ou se apenas consistem num artifício utilizado pelo autor para contar esta história, mas de qualquer modo o que mais importa é o seu conteúdo, e André Brink tenta aqui dar a sua visão do que terá acontecido durante esses dois anos, sobre os quais praticamente não há registos.

Portanto, o livro relata a viagem de Elizabeth e Adam pela meio da natureza sul-africana e do evoluir da sua relação, com todos os preconceitos derivados da segregação racial. É a história de um amor impossível, acerca do qual já sabemos o final desde o início. No entanto, o que importa aqui não é o final, mas o que aconteceu entretanto, e acho que o autor faz um belo trabalho na construção desta viagem (física e emocional).

Ao longo do livro, a história é narrada na primeira pessoa por Elizabeth ou Adam, intercalando com secções na terceira pessoa, que descrevem o seu percurso e o que os rodeia. Esta troca constante permite ao leitor ter a percepção sobre os sentimentos que vão assolando as personagens e todas as dúvidas que carregam consigo. André Brink fá-lo de uma forma muito poética, e este lirismo atravessa todo o livro e imprime-lhe um cunho muito particular. Para além das duas personagens principais, a própria paisagem e natureza sul-africanas são uma personagem por si só, com grande destaque neste livro através de belas descrições, que às vezes pecam um pouco por serem excessivas. Outro aspecto que não considero que tenha sido conseguido a 100% é a verosimilhança de certos acontecimentos presentes na narrativa, mas não foi algo que me tivesse estragado a leitura. Estamos perante um livro que merece, sem dúvida, ser lido.

[Iceman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um livro extraordinário!

No prefácio, Nelson Mandela profere: “estávamos destinados a não nos escutarmos uns aos outros e a nós próprios, nem o nosso mundo, excepto nos termos censurados e limitados que foram determinados e impostos”.

Com esta frase Mandela bate no cerne do livro. A opressão imposta por um sistema absurdo que considerava a maioria significativa do seu povo como escrava.

A premissa do autor é valiosa. A história aqui narrada é assente em factos verídicos que o autor transporta para a África do Sul. Brink imagina o que eventualmente poderia ter sucedido entre um negro foragido e uma mulher branca perdida.

Nessa viagem o resultado é a descoberta deles próprios e de uma nação nascida de um sistema profundamente racial que, além de tiranizar, forçava ao silêncio, à desigualdade e à diferença.

Escrito em 1976, no período vigente do Apartheide, Brink lança um grito angustiante de revolta face às tremendas injustiças que há muito a África do Sul havia mergulhado e que, parece-me, tarda em resolver.

O livro é uma espécie de considerando sobre esse absurdo sistema racial. A história de Adam e Elisabeth acaba por se tornar numa metáfora de que o autor se serve para fazer desfilar, de uma forma tremendamente séria, honesta e sincera, algo que nos choca e cuja pergunta que emerge é: Como foi possível?

Uma obra comovente, brilhantemente bem escrita que nos consegue situar e sentir o pulsar quente de África com as suas descrições belíssimas, tanto de paisagens, como de situações sensuais que se tornam felizes manifestações de humanidade.

Um livro que merece destaque pela sua qualidade e, na minha opinião, destinado a ser um dos Livros de 2010.

[Margitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

'n Baie noodsaaklike boek vir sy tyd gewees. André P Brink het sy romans baie goed nagevors en 'n onuitputlike skat van bronne gebruik om die omstrede onderwerpe oop te gooi en die destydse establishment uit te daag tot eerlikheid en tot 'n herskryf van die geskiedenis. Die boek, soos al sy ander rebelse skrywes was nie goed ontvang toe dit reeds duidelik was dat die Apartheidsjare verby was nie. Dit kon amper beskou word as 'n poging van Brink om die lesers te waarsku teen al die inligting wat van die Afrikaner publiek weerhou was om 'n uitgediende ideologie te probeer beskerm.

Die roman speel af tussen 1749 en 1751. Elisabeth vergesel haar eggenoot, Erik Alexis Larsson, en ‘n gids, ene Van Zyl, op ‘n ontdekkingsreis na die onherbergsame Kaapse binneland. Maar dan begin Van Zyl se drinkery, sy bakleiery en muitery. Op ‘n dag stap Erik Alexis die wildernis in, om nooit weer terug te keer nie. Adam Mantoor, ‘n drosterslaaf, ontferm hom oor Elisabeth na die dood van die twee mans. Hy word haar beskermer in lewensgevaarlike omstandighede en hulle vertrek op die lang en gevaarlike tog terug Kaap toe. ‘n Verhouding ontstaan tussen die wit vrou en die trotse slaaf, en daar is ‘n ruk lank ’n byna paradyslike bestaan in die wildernis. Die reis terug lei deur die Karoo en word gekenmerk deur steeds groter ontbering, en Elisabeth beloof Adam Mantoor om hom sy vryheid te help verkry.

[Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really tried to like this book. The genre, the time period, the location and the core plot all appealed to me, but alas I was disappointed. I mean the idea of a male slave and female merchants daughter coming together and conquering an incredibly difficult and otherwise potential soul destroying journey must appeal. Mustn't it?

There were parts of this book that were quite good but what really let it down for me was the poor structure and the verbose descriptions of everything. The book wasn't overly lengthy at 250 pages and I think there were 3 chapters in total. Better use of paragraphs would've assisted but really time periods and events just changed without any warning. One minute your in the present, next sentence you've gone back ten years, and then it moves to something completely abstract. Very difficult to follow (but then again I tend to enjoy structured novels, so this may suit others).

Adding to this are the never-ending descriptions of geography and landmarks. Multiple sentences (or even paragraphs) to describe a particular landscape, or how hot it is, or the distinctive medicinal qualities of leaves just don't do it for me. At times I didn't know whether I was reading a historical novel or an unwieldly poem.

This book has rated well throughout here so I am clearly in the exceptions bucket, but it just wasn't for me.

[Wendy G · Rating 3 out of 5]

"An Instant in the Wind" is a pretty predictable story if you know anything about race relations in South African history, even if the book is set in the less-well-known eighteenth century. Yes, the book is set in the 1700s, rather than the Apartheid-riven South Africa of recent memory. However, take a few guesses about the plot and you'll probably be correct. A white woman has been abandoned by her husband in the South African interior, and she is found by a black man who has escaped slavery and imprisonment. At first, there is suspicion, distrust; the white woman attempts to treat him as a slave, and the black man seethes and refuses to return to that role. Ultimately, they both realize that she is helpless, vulnerable, and in need of him; he is also in need of her. Take a guess what happens next. Yes, they embark on a forbidden love affair and have to grapple with the realities of returning to "civilization," where their love (or whatever it is) will never be accepted. Will they return to the Cape and struggle to live as a legitimate couple, or will they remain in the wild interior, where they can live as they wish, but in complete isolation? You can probably guess that one, too.

[Paula Cabrinha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Atendendo a que se trata de um escritor Sul Africano, em que a acção se passa no Sec XVIII em que uma mulher branca, por um incidente, acaba por se encontrar sozinha na selva, tendo encontrado um escravo fugitivo r iniciado com ele um romance de amor e de sobrevivência, esperava que as diferenças culturais e que o problema do apartheid fosse mais marcado.
As descrições do cenário, e das dificuldades é de facto muito convincente, mas o romance não me convenceu. Tirando o facto de andarem nús, parecia-me tratar-se de um romance entre duas pessoas muito cultas, muito sensíveis, muito observadoras e responsáveis pelos seus actos. A forma como o escravo fazia introspecções e articulava discursos onde analisava a realidade e os sentimentos de ambos pareceu-me pouco credível para um escravo fugitivo, que tinha tido uma existência terrível.
Por tudo isto, achei cor de rosa demais para o meu gosto

[Dave Kenyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. As expected from Brink. Fascinating story, based on actual events. Enjoyable read, although disturbing at times. He also overdoes the erotic bits; but that's what you have to expect from Brink. (or maybe I'm being a prude?!) Thought provoking, on many levels. An aspect I really enjoyed was his obvious love for Africa: the indigenous people, landscape, wildlife, scenery etc. I'm fully with him on that count.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

A non-sugar coated taste of early wild South Africa. A great read. With the extreme cultural issues around racism and early settlement times in southern part of the African continent the author examines the meaning of ones life, why are we here and how do we process what is important. Another page turner by Andre Brink.

[Barbara Guner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the 18th Century in South Africa, a white woman finds herself alone in the desert with a runaway slave. After a rather dry beginning, the book literally warms up to become absolutely amazing. The descriptions are brilliant and moving - the relationship between the woman and the slave is heartrending. It is based on true facts. Definitely a book to read.

[Gill Schell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written, Brink's account of the relationship between a white woman and black slave as they try to get back to civilization across the harsh, unfriendly wilds of South Africa. Set in the 18th century, this book explores so many different themes : love, self-discovery, survival, politics. Wonderful descriptions of the landscape.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am the biggest Brink Fan on the planet. He is my favourite author so I am biased with all of his work. Don't expect a balanced review from me.As with all Brinks work the backdrop is apartheid South Africa and the stuggles of white and black alike.