Langbourne

by Alan P. Landau

Fleeing persecution in Poland in 1879, a young Jewish family settled in England where two brothers begin work in a cigarette factory. After falling upon hard times they migrate to Ireland where the eldest brother is briefly accused of murder. Enduring poverty and scant support from their father after their mother dies, the brothers decide to take matters into their own hands and set sail for the mysterious continent of Africa. It was 1891 when Morris and David Langbourne, both young teenagers, arrived in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. With neither family nor friends they decide to try their hand in the cigarette business, the only thing they new. They befriend Nguni, a large and well-muscled man of the Xhosa tribe, who leads them into the African bush to find a tobacco farming community and to offer protection from the dangers of wild animals that they never even knew existed. With the solid grounding their parents instilled in their upbringing, the boys learn to adapt and accept Africa's ways, her people and her cultures. With the help of a tobacco farmer they meet in the hinterland they discover more about the wonders of Africa's wildlife. But taking on a life filled with danger, mystery and strange customs is one thing; can they take on an international corporation and survive? Based on a true story.

Genres: Africa

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2014

Reviews

[Ellen Read]

After fleeing persecution in Poland in 1879, a young Jewish family settle in England where two of the brothers begin work in a cigarette factory. However, they have dreams of going to Africa.

It is 1891 when Morris and David Langbourne, both young teenagers, arrive in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. With neither family nor friends they decide to try their hand in the cigarette business, the only thing they know.

I enjoyed this story, simply told, of the Langbourne brothers’ trials, dangers and adventures as they establish themselves in an unknown land, so far removed from their past lives. The boys adapt to Africa, learning skills to survive. To start with, they don’t know what a zebra is and have never seen a hyena and lion. They make friendships and accept the new cultures and people they meet.

Their journey carried me along. I loved the setting of South Africa in its early days, which provided such a colourful background.

I understand this is based on a true story.

[Rose Humphreys]

I wish we could give half stars as this is more a 3 and half stars for me. Based on true events, I found it a fascinating story of two young brothers moving from Ireland to South Africa in the late 19thC. The writing is not brilliant but the historical background and picture of early life for colonialists in the Eastern Cape is interesting. It's almost unbelievable how their luck held and how brave they were! About 14 and 16 when they left home and family and travelled so far for so long with so little.

[Graham]

A delightful narration of life in the early days of Southern Africa. The prose is somewhat dated and almost awkward, but manages the tell the story in a very readable way.

[Gillian Kelly]

I lived every miserable, daunting, then hopeful and triumphant moment with these two young and indomitable teenage brothers. I learned with them about metalwork, import/export, banking, finance, and above all, customer relations and a kind and dedicated collegiate warmth in dealing with staff. Atmospheric and well written, I too was on that station platform in Port Elizabeth singing them off on their next venture…

[Elise]

DNF - I kept reading for several initial chapters despite the plodding dialogue, lava-like prose and wooden characterisation. I made it as far as the brother's arrival to the boarding house in South Africa and I could stand it no longer. There's definitely evidence of an engrossing plot but the quality of the writing is so dreadful that I decided to toss it aside, unfinished.

[Heather Sadie]

Loved the book. I wonder about the parallel's one can draw between those families that came from abroad, found a new home and built business in Zimbabwe, and were once again persecuted and had to leave a country that they came to love.

[cameron ross paton]

I very much enjoyed the book.It was recommended to me by my wife,who is friends with the authors wife.
It is very well written. The characters are very engaging.I have already started on Rebellion, the next in the series.

[Robert Luke]

Fantastic read. So pleased to have found this book, thoroughly recommend it.

[Magpie]

Lindsay Bookclub 2018

[Elza]

An easy read, page turner.

[Eileen Pinckney]

excellent read.

[Paul Freemantle]

aHave not read it. Only just bought it

Please let me get past this page and enable me to read it I repeat please let me get past this page

[John]

Just could not get into this book. Narrator read in a flat monotone. Characters were unconvincing & lacked depth. Does anybody speak like these robots? The story just never got off the ground. Big disappointment, expected so much more.

[Andrew]

Engrossing beginning of the saga of two bothers and their entry into Africa via Port Elizabeth in 1891. Recommend starting here.

[David Gagen]

Interesting story. Told very simply.