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Pieternella van die Kaap
Pieternella, Daughter of Eva opens in the early days of the first white settlement at the Cape of Good Hope, beneath the shadow of Table Mountain, with the Dutch East India Company clinging precariously to a little piece of land - Robben Island - in Table Bay.
Eva was one of the first interpreters and intermediaries between her Goringhaicona tribe and the Dutch, and Pieternella's father was Pieter van Meerhoff, the Company surgeon who was murdered by slave dealers in Madagascar. Pieternella and her siblings were among the first mixed-race children born at the Cape and their lives are a manifestation of a sentiment often expressed by Matthee in this novel - that life can consist of heaven and hell rolled up together in one bundle.
After her mother's sudden and untimely death, the orphaned Pieternella and her brother Salomon are sent to the hurricane- and drought-afflicted Mauritius, a penal colony at the time, to work as 'slaves' to foster parents. Pieternella barely survives the exhausting sea voyage and a premature marriage becomes her salvation.
Pieternella remains attached to the memory of her mother and is full of turbulent emotions about how she is both brown and white in the same body. What will her children look like? Is she really only half-human, as she has so scornfully been told? Will she ever come to terms with who she is and find the peace and comfort she yearns for?
Through this remarkable true story, which took three years of intensive research into old journals, diaries and historical records. Matthee has resurrected and breathed new life into the early history of the Cape, and Robben Island and Mauritius - the isles of banishment. She skillfully balances the elements of Pieternella's love and shame for her mother, the impersonal might of the Company versus one individual, and a slave who is freer than a free woman. She allows the historically misunderstood Eva finally to come into her own through the eyes of her clever, sensitive daughter.
Eva was one of the first interpreters and intermediaries between her Goringhaicona tribe and the Dutch, and Pieternella's father was Pieter van Meerhoff, the Company surgeon who was murdered by slave dealers in Madagascar. Pieternella and her siblings were among the first mixed-race children born at the Cape and their lives are a manifestation of a sentiment often expressed by Matthee in this novel - that life can consist of heaven and hell rolled up together in one bundle.
After her mother's sudden and untimely death, the orphaned Pieternella and her brother Salomon are sent to the hurricane- and drought-afflicted Mauritius, a penal colony at the time, to work as 'slaves' to foster parents. Pieternella barely survives the exhausting sea voyage and a premature marriage becomes her salvation.
Pieternella remains attached to the memory of her mother and is full of turbulent emotions about how she is both brown and white in the same body. What will her children look like? Is she really only half-human, as she has so scornfully been told? Will she ever come to terms with who she is and find the peace and comfort she yearns for?
Through this remarkable true story, which took three years of intensive research into old journals, diaries and historical records. Matthee has resurrected and breathed new life into the early history of the Cape, and Robben Island and Mauritius - the isles of banishment. She skillfully balances the elements of Pieternella's love and shame for her mother, the impersonal might of the Company versus one individual, and a slave who is freer than a free woman. She allows the historically misunderstood Eva finally to come into her own through the eyes of her clever, sensitive daughter.
647 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
37 people are currently reading
790 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 8, 2020
Revisiting my HF-Africa taggees, looking for re-reads. If you haven't read Dalene Matthee, this is my second favorite by her. As first reads, Matthee's worlds were eye-opening cultural/historical stuff.
**
Here's a review copied from "Play.Google"
"Pieternella, Daughter of Eva opens in the early days of the first white settlement at the Cape of Good Hope, beneath the shadow of Table Mountain, with the Dutch East India Company clinging precariously to a little piece of land - Robben Island - in Table Bay. Eva was one of the first interpreters and intermediaries between her Goringhaicona tribe and the Dutch, and Pieternella's father was Pieter van Meerhoff, the Company surgeon who was murdered by slave dealers in Madagascar. Pieternella and her siblings were among the first mixed-race children born at the Cape and their lives are a manifestation of a sentiment often expressed by Matthee in this novel - that life can consist of heaven and hell rolled up together in one bundle. After her mother's sudden and untimely death, the orphaned Pieternella and her brother Salomon are sent to the hurricane- and drought-afflicted Mauritius, a penal colony at the time, to work as 'slaves' to foster parents. Pieternella barely survives the exhausting sea voyage and a premature marriage becomes her salvation. Pieternella remains attached to the memory of her mother and is full of turbulent emotions about how she is both brown and white in the same body. What will her children look like? Is she really only half-human, as she has so scornfully been told? Will she ever come to terms with who she is and find the peace and comfort she yearns for? Through this remarkable true story, which took three years of intensive research into old journals, diaries and historical records, Matthee has resurrected and breathed new life into the early history of the Cape, and Robben Island and Mauritius - the isles of banishment. She skilfully balances the elements of Pieternella's life: love and shame for her mother, the impersonal might of the Company versus one individual, and a slave who is freer than a free woman. She allows the historically misunderstood Eva finally to come into her own through the eyes of her clever, sensitive daughter."
**
Here's a review copied from "Play.Google"
"Pieternella, Daughter of Eva opens in the early days of the first white settlement at the Cape of Good Hope, beneath the shadow of Table Mountain, with the Dutch East India Company clinging precariously to a little piece of land - Robben Island - in Table Bay. Eva was one of the first interpreters and intermediaries between her Goringhaicona tribe and the Dutch, and Pieternella's father was Pieter van Meerhoff, the Company surgeon who was murdered by slave dealers in Madagascar. Pieternella and her siblings were among the first mixed-race children born at the Cape and their lives are a manifestation of a sentiment often expressed by Matthee in this novel - that life can consist of heaven and hell rolled up together in one bundle. After her mother's sudden and untimely death, the orphaned Pieternella and her brother Salomon are sent to the hurricane- and drought-afflicted Mauritius, a penal colony at the time, to work as 'slaves' to foster parents. Pieternella barely survives the exhausting sea voyage and a premature marriage becomes her salvation. Pieternella remains attached to the memory of her mother and is full of turbulent emotions about how she is both brown and white in the same body. What will her children look like? Is she really only half-human, as she has so scornfully been told? Will she ever come to terms with who she is and find the peace and comfort she yearns for? Through this remarkable true story, which took three years of intensive research into old journals, diaries and historical records, Matthee has resurrected and breathed new life into the early history of the Cape, and Robben Island and Mauritius - the isles of banishment. She skilfully balances the elements of Pieternella's life: love and shame for her mother, the impersonal might of the Company versus one individual, and a slave who is freer than a free woman. She allows the historically misunderstood Eva finally to come into her own through the eyes of her clever, sensitive daughter."
June 13, 2016
A story inspired by true events, beautifully told from the young, female protagonist's perspective.
Spanning a few generations, family drama, colonial racism, identity crisis', strong women, and the harsh everyday life in the 17th century make up the bulk themes of this novel.
Matthee really captures her audience and you can feel yourself connecting with the characters more and more with every chapter. The historical setting makes Pieternella van die Kaap a history book that you actually want to read. Highly recommended.
Spanning a few generations, family drama, colonial racism, identity crisis', strong women, and the harsh everyday life in the 17th century make up the bulk themes of this novel.
Matthee really captures her audience and you can feel yourself connecting with the characters more and more with every chapter. The historical setting makes Pieternella van die Kaap a history book that you actually want to read. Highly recommended.
May 4, 2016
It is a journey of love, passion for life, strong women and their constant strive to keep a family happy, alive and healthy. Truly a gem to read.
May 15, 2023
Dit is 'n boek wat jy nie wil hê moet klaar maak nie. 'n Laat lag, 'n laat huil boek. Was ook mal oor die geskiedenis.
March 31, 2010
Wonderful introduction to South Africa and the coming of the Hollanders.
November 3, 2013
Pieternella van die Kaap has been translated into English. The title has been changed to Pieternella Daughter of Eva. Just as the translated title is incorrect so, in my opinion, is the translation of the book. Although the book is well researched the translation is too literal and simplistic.
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June 2, 2012Ek het die boek baie geniet en het terselfdertyd baie van osn geskiedenis daarin te wete gekom, aangesien Dalene Matthee goed navrosing gedoen het.
January 24, 2013
Die navorsing vir die boek het verstommende feite aan die leserspubliek bekendgestel van die slawebedryf - die intrige en empatie, die harde lewe. Briljante boek
September 30, 2019
Ek verag die pas van hierdie boek, maar Dalene Matthee het 'n diep plek in my hart. Ek kan nie anders as om vier sterre te gee vir die menslikheid en smaakvolheid waarmee sy hierdie verhaal neergepen het nie.
March 10, 2021
Love love love. Didn't want it to end. Also makes me want to go to Mauritius again. One of my favourite books. Brilliantly written and the best way to awake in interest in the politics and history of the time.
January 29, 2023
Net so ryk ons afrikaanse taal.,soos net Dalene Matthee kan skruf.
Baie leersaam Baie geniet
Baie leersaam Baie geniet
March 3, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I would love to read it in Afrikaans as well.
August 28, 2025
Kosbaar
July 9, 2016
Uitstekend
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews