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Brug van die esels
Vir Araminta Rossouw het diamante ´n magiese aantrekkingskrag: nie vasgeklamp in ringe of in koningskrone en septers nie, maar ongeslyp en vry in die palm van haar hand, in die holtes van haar African violet se blare, of op haar vensterbank waar hulle met die berg kan gesels. Diamante is klein klippies, heilig, waarin oerlig gebêre is. En hulle straal iets uit: as sy hulle vashou, weet sy of hulle gelukkig is of nie.
Om mense uit ´n geldelike verknorsing te help, gaan verkoop sy vir hulle diamante in ´n krotterige Kaapse buurt, en daarmee gaan ´n kortpad na vryheid vir haar oop. Sy wat as wit kind van Afrika verwerp voel, en gedoem tot ´n ewige struggle; wat wil padgee na ´n land waar dit moontlik is om gewoon te leef sonder skuldgevoel, en by geluk uit te kom.
Dit was toe sy op universiteit in die geskiedenis van die Afrikanervolk gaan delf het om haarself te probeer vind dat sy op ´n barsie afgekom het wat deur alles loop en waarvan iemand haar ooit gesê het nie. ´n Bars wat al groter word, en wat almal en alles aantas.
Nou sien sy geen keuse nie: sy moet self op dié bars langs loop. Want as eiendomsagent sal sy nog baie kommissie moet verdien om vlerke te kan hê vir wegvlieg, maar diamante bied ´n vinnige ontsnaproete. Gevaarlik, maar onweerstaanbaar.
Só begin ´n spel met die fassinerende blink klippies wat haar in ´n krisis laat beland wat sy met haar noukeurige berekenings nie kan voorsien nie. En wanneer alles verlore lyk, kom Koos Malharbe as prokureur in haar lewe. Hy wat genoeg gesien het om te weet dat dit ´n mens nie baat om ´n brug bo-oor die waarheid te probeer bou nie.
Om mense uit ´n geldelike verknorsing te help, gaan verkoop sy vir hulle diamante in ´n krotterige Kaapse buurt, en daarmee gaan ´n kortpad na vryheid vir haar oop. Sy wat as wit kind van Afrika verwerp voel, en gedoem tot ´n ewige struggle; wat wil padgee na ´n land waar dit moontlik is om gewoon te leef sonder skuldgevoel, en by geluk uit te kom.
Dit was toe sy op universiteit in die geskiedenis van die Afrikanervolk gaan delf het om haarself te probeer vind dat sy op ´n barsie afgekom het wat deur alles loop en waarvan iemand haar ooit gesê het nie. ´n Bars wat al groter word, en wat almal en alles aantas.
Nou sien sy geen keuse nie: sy moet self op dié bars langs loop. Want as eiendomsagent sal sy nog baie kommissie moet verdien om vlerke te kan hê vir wegvlieg, maar diamante bied ´n vinnige ontsnaproete. Gevaarlik, maar onweerstaanbaar.
Só begin ´n spel met die fassinerende blink klippies wat haar in ´n krisis laat beland wat sy met haar noukeurige berekenings nie kan voorsien nie. En wanneer alles verlore lyk, kom Koos Malharbe as prokureur in haar lewe. Hy wat genoeg gesien het om te weet dat dit ´n mens nie baat om ´n brug bo-oor die waarheid te probeer bou nie.
244 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
2 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Dalene Matthee
27 books123 followersDalene Matthee (nee Scott) matriculated in 1957 and went on to study music at a conservatorium in Oudtshoorn as well as at the Holy Cross Covent in Graaff-Reinet.
Before gaining fame and wide acclaim for her first "forest novel", she also wrote stories for magazines as well as two popular novels - ’n Huis vir Nadia (A House for Nadia) (1982) and Petronella van Aarde, burgemeester (Petronella van Aarde, Mayor) (1983).
Kringe in ’n bos (Circles in a forest) (1984), a novel about the extermination of the elephants and the exploitation of the woodcutters of the Knysna forest, was an international success. Two other highly successful "forest novels" followed: Fiela se Kind (Fiela's Child) in 1985 and Moerbeibos (The Mulberry Forest) in 1987. Fiela's Child and Circles in a forest were filmed. She also won numerous literary prizes for her works.
After a short sickbed caused by heart failure, she died in Mossel Bay, South Africa. She was survived by her three daughters; her husband, Larius, died in 2003.
Before gaining fame and wide acclaim for her first "forest novel", she also wrote stories for magazines as well as two popular novels - ’n Huis vir Nadia (A House for Nadia) (1982) and Petronella van Aarde, burgemeester (Petronella van Aarde, Mayor) (1983).
Kringe in ’n bos (Circles in a forest) (1984), a novel about the extermination of the elephants and the exploitation of the woodcutters of the Knysna forest, was an international success. Two other highly successful "forest novels" followed: Fiela se Kind (Fiela's Child) in 1985 and Moerbeibos (The Mulberry Forest) in 1987. Fiela's Child and Circles in a forest were filmed. She also won numerous literary prizes for her works.
After a short sickbed caused by heart failure, she died in Mossel Bay, South Africa. She was survived by her three daughters; her husband, Larius, died in 2003.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 25, 2013
I am doing this review in English in case the English version of the book(which is not listed on GR) might attract some curious readers :-)
Brug van die esels - Dalene Matthee
(The Day the Swallows Spoke)
Araminta Rossouw had one mission in her young life, and that was to leave the country of her birth which she thought despised and rejected her and her people. She was saving up, getting rid of everything quietly, while working as an estate agent in George, South Africa.
By sheer coincidence, she got involved, and mesmerized, by illegal diamond smuggling. It became the opportunity to speed up her departure date. But then the diamonds began talking to her, which lead to her obsession with them, despite the danger that came with it. She could feel when they were happy or sad. Happy diamonds were beneficial to her dream. Sad diamonds could get her into serious trouble, but she was desperate enough to take on the challenges that would ultimately, and hopefully, ensure her the freedom and security she so dearly craved.
In the ensuing adventures she also had to address family relationships, the volatile political events in the country, her approach to problems, as well as her future prospects.
******
Comments: The tumultuous era in which this story played out was just as traumatic and challenging to us as to the characters in the book at the time. When I first read the book, (in 1992) I was neck-deep(if there is such a word) into community research, interviewing hundreds of people, listening to the same old story(such as those of the book's characters and much much worse) every day, all day for several years while witnessing the terrible events in the country. I did not appreciate this book at the time since I was so desperately over-worked, over-stressed and over-tired. The theme of the book, namely the social- and political circumstances in the country in which violence ruled everything, bombs were exploding, people got 'necklaced', the press were pushed back with strict restrictions, etc. had me put the book down and forget about it after reading it. I knew now that I was too brain-dead to even remember one sentence from it. Reality was much worse than the book indicated, but still a reflection of the characters in the book, and I did not have the need for such a book at that particular moment in time. It did not speak to me.
Now I have decided to reread it, after reading Sue's review about it.
It was the right decision. Dalene Matthee will always be my ultimate favorite author - and that includes everyone in the world! The reason is that I have never come across a writer that had her unique outlook on life, her understated, skillful approach in addressing any issue of any kind, did not matter how sensitive it was, with such poetic prose and amazing understanding.
The book can be regarded as a much more poetic, but similar attempt on the history of South Africa, a much lighter, yes even more adventurous read, as well as a synopsis, if you will, of "The Covenant" by James. A Michener. Only, Dalene Matthee also explains why everything happened as it did, from an insider's viewpoint. She told a part of the story that nobody else would dare admit, since the truth differed vastly from the world's real agenda behind this part of history.
She tells the story which underscores the meaning of an expression such as: "You can fool all the people all the time if the advertising is right and the budget is big enough." - Joseph E. Levine. The concept works for everything: politics, sales, public relations, and everything else that needs to be challenged or changed to suit the aggressors.
Typical of this author, she did not shy away from real issues and she did it with so much gentle flair and dignity. I have never come across a South African writer who could equal her ability in words, thoughts and book construction.
Dalene Matthee was one of the most successful South African authors of all times, one of the few that were internationally highly popular. I will always respect her for what she did and who she was. The Day The Swallows Spoke is so typical Dalene Matthee at her most usual straightforward and to-the-point best!
Amazon has a few English copies available
Brug van die esels - Dalene Matthee
(The Day the Swallows Spoke)
Araminta Rossouw had one mission in her young life, and that was to leave the country of her birth which she thought despised and rejected her and her people. She was saving up, getting rid of everything quietly, while working as an estate agent in George, South Africa.
By sheer coincidence, she got involved, and mesmerized, by illegal diamond smuggling. It became the opportunity to speed up her departure date. But then the diamonds began talking to her, which lead to her obsession with them, despite the danger that came with it. She could feel when they were happy or sad. Happy diamonds were beneficial to her dream. Sad diamonds could get her into serious trouble, but she was desperate enough to take on the challenges that would ultimately, and hopefully, ensure her the freedom and security she so dearly craved.
In the ensuing adventures she also had to address family relationships, the volatile political events in the country, her approach to problems, as well as her future prospects.
******
Comments: The tumultuous era in which this story played out was just as traumatic and challenging to us as to the characters in the book at the time. When I first read the book, (in 1992) I was neck-deep(if there is such a word) into community research, interviewing hundreds of people, listening to the same old story(such as those of the book's characters and much much worse) every day, all day for several years while witnessing the terrible events in the country. I did not appreciate this book at the time since I was so desperately over-worked, over-stressed and over-tired. The theme of the book, namely the social- and political circumstances in the country in which violence ruled everything, bombs were exploding, people got 'necklaced', the press were pushed back with strict restrictions, etc. had me put the book down and forget about it after reading it. I knew now that I was too brain-dead to even remember one sentence from it. Reality was much worse than the book indicated, but still a reflection of the characters in the book, and I did not have the need for such a book at that particular moment in time. It did not speak to me.
Now I have decided to reread it, after reading Sue's review about it.
It was the right decision. Dalene Matthee will always be my ultimate favorite author - and that includes everyone in the world! The reason is that I have never come across a writer that had her unique outlook on life, her understated, skillful approach in addressing any issue of any kind, did not matter how sensitive it was, with such poetic prose and amazing understanding.
The book can be regarded as a much more poetic, but similar attempt on the history of South Africa, a much lighter, yes even more adventurous read, as well as a synopsis, if you will, of "The Covenant" by James. A Michener. Only, Dalene Matthee also explains why everything happened as it did, from an insider's viewpoint. She told a part of the story that nobody else would dare admit, since the truth differed vastly from the world's real agenda behind this part of history.
She tells the story which underscores the meaning of an expression such as: "You can fool all the people all the time if the advertising is right and the budget is big enough." - Joseph E. Levine. The concept works for everything: politics, sales, public relations, and everything else that needs to be challenged or changed to suit the aggressors.
Typical of this author, she did not shy away from real issues and she did it with so much gentle flair and dignity. I have never come across a South African writer who could equal her ability in words, thoughts and book construction.
Dalene Matthee was one of the most successful South African authors of all times, one of the few that were internationally highly popular. I will always respect her for what she did and who she was. The Day The Swallows Spoke is so typical Dalene Matthee at her most usual straightforward and to-the-point best!
Amazon has a few English copies available
September 12, 2013
Araminta Rossouw grew up in South Africa trying to find her place in the world. Finally she decides that South Africa doesn't want her and she needs to leave. Except that to do that costs money that she doesn't have. A client asks her to sell six diamonds - any amount above what the client needs will be Araminta's to keep. She takes the risk, and reaps a profit. That experience causes her to see diamond sales as a quick means to the money she needs to leave. Except that selling diamonds is illegal....
I picked this up as a second hand copy in Windhoek, Namibia earlier this year. The other Matthee books I've read, I've thoroughly enjoyed and this did not disappoint. The story moves right along and I was caught up in the emotions of the tale. There are a number of twists and turns along the way to keep the reader off balance: no "I can see where this is going" here. A satisfying ending that, at the same time, leaves you hanging considering how things could proceed.
I picked this up as a second hand copy in Windhoek, Namibia earlier this year. The other Matthee books I've read, I've thoroughly enjoyed and this did not disappoint. The story moves right along and I was caught up in the emotions of the tale. There are a number of twists and turns along the way to keep the reader off balance: no "I can see where this is going" here. A satisfying ending that, at the same time, leaves you hanging considering how things could proceed.
December 7, 2019
Araminta Rossouw raak so amper per abuis 'n diamantverkoper in die middel tagtigs. Na een suksesvolle transaksie byt die gogga, want Araminta wil landuit. Sy wil nie meer deel wees van die mees gehate volk op aarde (die Afrikaners) in die onstuimige laaste jare van apartheid nie. In diamante vind sy die pad na vinnige geld om haar droom te verwesenlik.
Dit is geen verrassing nie dat hierdie boek, tipies Dalene Matthee, subtiel fokus op die mens se konneksie met die aarde deur die oë van 'n sterk vrouekarakter. Araminta se geskiedenislesse is dalk bietjie oordoen, maar tog nodig om haar te verstaan.
Matthee kan ook soos min ander skrywers met die eenvoudigste frase magiese beelde optower: "Dit is die mooiste ruiker wat sy nog ooit gekry het, feë sou daarin kon speel."
Brug van die Esels is absoluut die moeite werd om te lees, en verskaf tussen die lyne van die fiktiewe storie baie om oor na te dink.
Dit is geen verrassing nie dat hierdie boek, tipies Dalene Matthee, subtiel fokus op die mens se konneksie met die aarde deur die oë van 'n sterk vrouekarakter. Araminta se geskiedenislesse is dalk bietjie oordoen, maar tog nodig om haar te verstaan.
Matthee kan ook soos min ander skrywers met die eenvoudigste frase magiese beelde optower: "Dit is die mooiste ruiker wat sy nog ooit gekry het, feë sou daarin kon speel."
Brug van die Esels is absoluut die moeite werd om te lees, en verskaf tussen die lyne van die fiktiewe storie baie om oor na te dink.
April 1, 2016
Are diamonds really a girl’s best friend? Araminta Rossouw - a young Boer woman in the late 1980’s - has to make up her mind.
Stylistically a very simple story, build almost completely from actual and inner dialogue and showing more than a trace of conventional romance. And yet, the book is more than that - it’s easy to understand that it stroke a sensitive chord in South Africa. And it must still be of interest for anyone trying to understand the psychological make up of the country’s white minority.
Araminta feels bewildered and estranged in an atmosphere of violence which she did not cause but for which she is somehow held responsible. Not in the last place by her own father (a progressive minister in the reformed church). It is hard for the reader to decide whether she rejects this responsibility on strictly personal grounds (it is not her fault to be born white) or for other reasons. But I guess this is a rather philosophical question Araminta herself would not be able answer.
Anyway, she decides to cut her losses and leave the country, asap. But that is not possible without money, and so the story is set in motion. As already mentioned, it is a simple narrative, though told with enough brio. Some knowledge of the Western Cape’s dramatic landscape certainly helps to empathize with the main character, torn between her love for the land and the urge to escape its tragic legacy.
Matthee’s book is an unexpected example of African migration literature, but that is where it belongs and understanding it within this tradition adds to it. A drawback is the rather long-winded historical-political discours. Whether one agrees or not with this Boer version of anti-colonialism, in a novel it should be implicit, not explained. This excessive reasoning may have something to do, though, with the original title - 'Bridges for Mules'. Referring to bridges donkeys build for themselves to evade unpleasant truths.
Mental short cuts are certainly an issue for Araminta, and it is up to the reader to decide whether she has solved them in the end or not. Frankly, I’m not convinced she has, but that does not detract from the relevance of the questions posed. Questions that soon may become important for everyone in the West (in which Araminta should be, but for obvious reasons did not feel, included).
Stylistically a very simple story, build almost completely from actual and inner dialogue and showing more than a trace of conventional romance. And yet, the book is more than that - it’s easy to understand that it stroke a sensitive chord in South Africa. And it must still be of interest for anyone trying to understand the psychological make up of the country’s white minority.
Araminta feels bewildered and estranged in an atmosphere of violence which she did not cause but for which she is somehow held responsible. Not in the last place by her own father (a progressive minister in the reformed church). It is hard for the reader to decide whether she rejects this responsibility on strictly personal grounds (it is not her fault to be born white) or for other reasons. But I guess this is a rather philosophical question Araminta herself would not be able answer.
Anyway, she decides to cut her losses and leave the country, asap. But that is not possible without money, and so the story is set in motion. As already mentioned, it is a simple narrative, though told with enough brio. Some knowledge of the Western Cape’s dramatic landscape certainly helps to empathize with the main character, torn between her love for the land and the urge to escape its tragic legacy.
Matthee’s book is an unexpected example of African migration literature, but that is where it belongs and understanding it within this tradition adds to it. A drawback is the rather long-winded historical-political discours. Whether one agrees or not with this Boer version of anti-colonialism, in a novel it should be implicit, not explained. This excessive reasoning may have something to do, though, with the original title - 'Bridges for Mules'. Referring to bridges donkeys build for themselves to evade unpleasant truths.
Mental short cuts are certainly an issue for Araminta, and it is up to the reader to decide whether she has solved them in the end or not. Frankly, I’m not convinced she has, but that does not detract from the relevance of the questions posed. Questions that soon may become important for everyone in the West (in which Araminta should be, but for obvious reasons did not feel, included).
January 30, 2016
Set in the late 1980s in South Africa. A beautifully-written novel. I identified with Araminta and her desire to buy feathers and fly to a new life, to create a new identity, to not be satisfied with being the second-born, another daughter, a member of "the most-hated people on earth". I didn't like how Matthee ended the novel. I wanted more for her main character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2025
Eerste deel van het boek vond ik erg vaag. Ik ben matig op de hoogte van alle politieke en maatschappelijke groeperingen in Zuid-Afrika, dus ik kon dat moeilijk volgen. Vanaf de helft van het boek ging het beter, en toen vond ik het einde nog interessant ook.
February 21, 2025
circles in the forest was better but similarly beautiful story and message that i can't stop thinking about
Read
August 30, 2023As with most of my 'Currently Reading' books - will it ever be finished? I
can't see this ending well as our heroine Araminta (good Scottish name) gets deeper into illegal diamond selling. It panned out ok in the end. Phew.
can't see this ending well as our heroine Araminta (good Scottish name) gets deeper into illegal diamond selling. It panned out ok in the end. Phew.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews