The Runaway Horses

by Joyce Kotze

A sweeping family saga of love, loyalty and betrayal in the time of the Boer war. Two sets of cousins, Boer and Brit, find their destinies inexorably intertwined in the politics and mayhem that led up to and encompassed the Anglo Boer War of 1899 - 1902. From Transvaal to Victorian England, the cousins form strong bonds that are tested on the battlefields of South Africa. Martin de Winter, nurtured to lead his country, Transvaal, into the twentieth century, instead finds himself excelling as a gifted young general, fighting a desperate war to keep his nation from ruin, all the while being haunted by his love for a British woman. James Henderson, cavalry officer, is forced by his father, a military aristocrat, to marry or face expulsion from his regiment. Bound for India, the regiment is diverted to South Africa to fight the Boers. James rides to glory and honour but is at the mercy of his loyalty to his country and his compassion for his Boer family. In the drawing rooms of Cape Town and Pretoria, Stefanie de Winter, celebrated pianist, is viewed from both sides with suspicion. Fiercely loyal to her brother Martin, but in love with a British officer, she embarks on a dangerous path to keep them both. Doctor Charles Henderson tends to the slaughter on the battlefields. He is devastated by the wilful destruction of his adopted country, Transvaal, and anguished by the part his brother, James, plays in this. Karel and Rudolf de Winter, twin brothers devoted to each other and their horses to the exclusion of all else, fight a battle against the bullet that might separate them forever. Through anger, injustice, and betrayal, the family discovers that there is a force stronger than war.

Genres: Historical Fiction

586 pages, Paperback

First published October 24, 2012

Reviews

[Mara Timon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew very little about the Boer War before reading The Runaway Horses but Joyce Kotze really made the period come alive.

The Runaway Horses follows a set of cousins, Boer on one side, Brit on the other. From childhood, in the shadow of an increasingly volatile political landscape, they meet and forge the bonds that will define them as adults.

Each character faces their own moral dilemmas, although almost every one at one point must choose between holding true to the bonds of their family/friendship, or the country that raised them.

[Debra Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good exploration from both sides of the war. It also explains the origins of the antagonism between English and Afrikaans speaking South Africans which has reverberated through the future generations and affected me personally. As a child I was shocked to discover that I was a 'rooinek'. A timely reminder that everyone loses in war.

[Carl Muller · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read about the Boer War. I love historical fiction and this is the best one. I have never expected Joyce to write such a good story mixed into history but she did it.
I would love to read her other books.

[Phil Achten · Rating 4 out of 5]

History meets novel - love it!

Not a bad way at all to learn about a part of history many are unfamiliar with. I'll admit it took me a while to sort out the cast of characters but the author does a good job of coverng alot of ground and multiple storylines.

[Olwyn Garratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joyce Kotzè's portrayal of family torn apart by the South African War is compelling, focusing as it does on the personal rather than the political narrative of a war that cast a dark shadow on Brit and Boer relationships in the 20th century. What Kotzè does so masterfully is bring the contemporary reader into the conflict, which is shown to be less about ideologies than about moral choices and courage in times of great confusion. It was a sobering journey into the complexity of my country's history.

[Heather Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

At school I loathed history. Now in my 70's I have finally & gratefully re-learned & gained insight into the Boer War through the marvellous pen of Joyce who so cleverly wove an intriguing fictional saga into historical facts. I also struggled early on to get to remember 'who was who in the zoo ' so to speak but got it in the end. I highly recommend this book

[Karen Pomale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book; the beautiful writing; and the way the author has so carefully set the scene before the second Boar war, prior to depicting the events which occur during and after it. Joyce Kotze is a talented author and I very much hope she writes another novel.

[Lindsay Joubert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and found it super interesting to read about the Anglo Boer war. It was a true saga.