SA reads discussion

On the setting:

The savannah to the East of the Drakensberg is the region that used to be known as the Eastern Transvaal. This savannah is referred to as the “Bosveld” in Afrikaans (Bushveld in English). Sir Fitzpatrick eventually settled in Barberton. A big portion of this area is currently taken up by the Kruger National Park, which reflects the abundance of wildlife that used to be found here. Gold was discovered near the town of Sabie in 1873 and started the first South African Gold Rush. This area was part of the Boer Republics, more specifically the Transvaal Republic, or South African Republic, which occupied the greater Transvaal region (as opposed to the current Republic). After the First Anglo Boer War the republic was independent from the British Empire from 1881 until 1900.

It later became part of the Union of South Africa, which again was a British Colony.

Can anybody else here imagine setting off into the unknown wilds "just like that" looking for adventure? Without Google Earth, GPS, booking the hotel or campsite in advance... Bearing in mind this is a true story.

I've been there a few times, it's still beautifully wild. But the maps are fairly accurate now.

The wild atmosphere struck me from the beginning, as did the fact that this is a true story (I didn't know that) and the reference to the protagonist as "the Boy." I haven't made it through chapter one yet and don't know when I'll get back to it, but I'm intrigued. Is this Boy named later, I wonder, and why isn't he named from page one? Interesting! :-)

Cecily,

Thanks for that scene setter. It came just at the right time for me, as I was about to start reading!

Three quotes that caught my early attention:

" Fortune is not in time or place or things; but, good or bad, in the man's own self alone to find and prove."

"Boys is like pups - you got ter help 'em some, but not too much, an not too soon!"

And the one that did a little dance up my spine:

"It was my dawg!"

Loving Jock again, despite the laboured use of language at times. I'm looking rather to feel what I'm reading, and let the archaic structure of the sentences slip by. I think I'm going to cry again at the end...we'll see.

Thought he refers to himself as 'boy' as he is young and has little experience out in the bush. It is semi- autobiographical. There is a memorial to Jock I Barberton, where Fitzpatrick is from. I love how he and jock mature together.

Lisa wrote: "Thought he refers to himself as 'boy' as he is young and has little experience out in the bush. It is semi- autobiographical. There is a memorial to Jock I Barberton, where Fitzpatrick is from. I l..."

Ok I see. That makes sense; I'm unfamiliar with the story and have only read a few pages, so excuse my ignorance!

No worries, just my opinion. Also reading this for first time. Was in a museum in Barberton and got to see one of the original copies. So is the American story, Old Yella fictional?

It's great to see you here Sarah. Hope you enjoy the book.
John, I've also struggled with language, it's heavy for a children's book.

Lisa wrote: "No worries, just my opinion. Also reading this for first time. Was in a museum in Barberton and got to see one of the original copies. So is the American story, Old Yella fictional?"

As far as I know, Old Yeller is fictional. Also one of the saddest books ever; I will never read it again! I hate it when animals die! I have to admit that I'm nervous about reading Jock for this reason, as I don't know if he survives or not in the end and am worried that he doesn't. I am very picky about what animal stories I read, animal softie that I am!

Lisa wrote: "No worries, just my opinion. Also reading this for first time. Was in a museum in Barberton and got to see one of the original copies. So is the American story, Old Yella fictional?"

We Americans know Old Yeller from the Walt Disney movie. It is fiction.

Just read up to end of chapter two, when Rocky leaves ..will continue tonight. Not sure how I find it so far. The language is different. Will have a better idea tomorrow
It was a different time in SA

Hm. Rocky seems to be an American (his nickname comes from the Rocky Mountains). He reminds me of a cowboy in one of those old Louis L'amour books. But perhaps that's just me. I haven't read quite that far, so if I'm wrong you're welcome to correct me.

Connor,
I had the same problem. I suppose we cannot expect language from over a century ago to read comfortably for us now. We want to get to the point a lot quicker than they did then.

Dirk,
Good point. I read the book so long ago that I cannot remember the reason for Rocky being so obviously American. Anybody else know? Was this the intention of the author?

So here's me, reading away, wondering why everyone is going on about the language, and no, it is not because I belong to the last century as well as the book, it is the edition I have. The editor's note states, and I quote, ' for better understanding, the language has been modernised, the measurements metricated............' and 'while the prejudicial racial references have been eliminated, the esoteric charm and innocent philosophical tone have been left scrupulously intact'. Enough said, I am now reading on Kindle and cannot believe how much has been left out altogether. The new modern language does not improve the story in any way.

It's cool to see some less familiar faces in the thread. Hello to Dirk and Connor.
I barely noticed Rocky, I'm entranced with the animals, they're far more interesting than the people. I cam just see that indignant puppy face.
Irene, that's just so funny! I forget how many revisions there have been, think there's a fair few. Trust you to get the only modern book. I've gotten used to the language after a bit.

The book is a product of its time. The edition I am reading contains some references which would currently be considered extremely politically incorrect in South Africa, but I suppose that is the way the people of the time spoke. So, not sure which edition everybody else is reading, but are you finding it unpalatable?

The same kind of thing is found in King Solomon's Mines

The word came into Africa by the Portuguese and meant 'infidel' or 'non believer'. It's use in many works of this time was not intended to be derogatory. It was only much later that it was used to hurt and harm. It was also a term used in place of Xhosa! It will always be hard for us to read this word without finding it tough.

Hey, Lisa. I'm feeling left out! I too am a 'less familiar face' on the thread. This is my first group review ever.

Yes John, but you join in other discussions!
Welcome to your first book discussion John.

It's funny how the shame and denigration of some words is ingrained into us. Swear words, I hear often & shrug off. Racial slurs, even when aimed elsewhere, make me flinch.

Thank you, Lisa. So glad to have found this great group!
I'm having more fun than I expected.
Yes, racial slurs are the worst kind, anywhere in the world. I think it is because racial denigration is denying the basic and common humanity of a fellow brother or sister - far worse than denigrating their character!

Lisa wrote: "I've been there a few times, it's still beautifully wild. But the maps are fairly accurate now."

And that view from God's Window...

There's another higher up- think its Wonder View- its stunning.

Dirk, how do you post pics? Want to put up mpumalanga pics.

I don't actually know. I haven't done it before.

If you click on the (some html is ok) link just above the comment box it gives some advice.

As a last resort we could ask someone who writes reviews for paranormal romance / vampire novels...

Lisa, are you asking how to post a photo on the group page? Very easy.

John wrote: "Lisa, are you asking how to post a photo on the group page? Very easy."

Is it possible to post a photo in a thread?

Lol Dirk, you mean your better half Cecily right?
John, that's what I mean,can u explain please.

https://www.goodreads.com/help/show/1...
This is the Goodreads help link on to how to post a photo in a thread.
Easier just to post the photo to the top of the group page, I think, as I did.

Lisa wrote: "Lol Dirk, you mean your better half Cecily right?
John, that's what I mean,can u explain please."

Actually I didn't mean her. It's just a trend that I noticed on Goodreads, people posting reviews so full of pictures it looks like a graphic novel. But I digress, since that has nothing to do with this thread. Apologies.

Goodness. I missed the start of December. Lots of catching up to do. Irene, I also bought the modernized book.

Adele wrote: "Goodness. I missed the start of December. Lots of catching up to do. Irene, I also bought the modernized book."

You can download a free e-book from http://www.forgottenbooks.org/ also lots of other books as well. One of my favourite sites. There is quite a difference in the editions.

Dirk wrote: "Hm. Rocky seems to be an American (his nickname comes from the Rocky Mountains). He reminds me of a cowboy in one of those old Louis L'amour books. But perhaps that's just me. I haven't read quite ..."

Early in the book, the 2nd chapter I think, the first time Rocky is mentioned, he is described as "an old Yankee hunter-prospector."

Speaking of Yankee prospectors. I wonder how this setting compares to the California gold rush?

Something else that makes this book a product of its time is the overzealous approach to hunting. People back in the day seemed to go out of their way to kill anything that moved. For example: the author mentions that he sees a Lioness with cubs... he then proceeds to summarily shoot the Lioness. This kind of thing riles me up, especially with the enormous problems we are currently experiencing with Rhino poaching in the country. I won’t penalise the literary merit of the book, but I think it’s fair to say that Sir Fitzpatrick and me would not have been friends.

Any thoughts?

Cecily, that makes my hair stand up also. Havent started reading yet. Why would anybody do something like that?

Cecily wrote: "Something else that makes this book a product of its time is the overzealous approach to hunting. People back in the day seemed to go out of their way to kill anything that moved. For example: the ..."

So in agreement with you on this I am three quarters of the way through the book and to the best of my memory there have ony been two clean kills! I find that disturbing!

As soon as Jock, the runt, appeared on the scene, I remembered why this is such a well-loved story. Fitzpatrick's genius is in the characterization of the dog, and not of it's owner or any other human in the story.
After four chapters introducing the character Rocky, I had a mild connection to him; after just a few pages I was in love with the runt!
How we admire the anti-hero, and are inspired by the underdog! To see an heroic spirit clothed in the body of the downtrodden and despised, is one of the most enduring of all literary techniques.
I owned three bull-terriers as a younger man. All three caused me great grief, almost my death once, yet I remember them with fondness unlike any other of my many dogs and pets. I recognize the Bull-Terrier in Jock, and I think this is what made him different from the others, who probably were more like their Staffy father than their bull-terrier mother. Anybody who has owned a bull terrier will know what I am talking about.

I've finished the chapters for the first week's discussion. I expect that I will have finished the book before the 2nd week's discussion begins. It's an easy read and I am quite enjoying it.

Jock is better trained than some pet dogs I know who have been to obedience school. The fault there is not with the dogs, of course, but with their masters.

With so much discussion about Rocky earlier on, I expected him to be a regular character. I wonder if Rocky will make a reappearance later in the book. We shall see.

I just completed two chapters. I am reading a 1922 edition. I am reading the slang parts fairly well, some of the words looks/sound similar to laidback language here (St.Lucia). The opening sentence pulled me in but what really stands out so far for me is the description of the elements/nature. Wow. I felt I was in the rain with Boy and saw his shooting scene with Rocky.

Completed my readings for the week. I am enjoying the flow of the novel. The writer shifts from one scene to the next so effortlessly. I especially liked the part when he spoke about Jock as a wee pup. Jock is so loyal.

The account of Jock's first hunt is utterly convincing. Fitzpatrick must have personally experienced something similar to have captured the unique detail he did. There is no substitute for personal experience in writing a novel - 'Write what you know' is good advice. In doing so, the writer takes the reader with on the journey into his fictional world.

Hey, I've posted so e Jock photos and some wildlife pics from Kruger National Park that I took in 2008.

Thanks, Lisa. Enjoyed the pics.

I've added more, pics from the Cheetah onward is from the rhino and lion park where my dad was a game ranger.
Easier to spot animals here

John wrote: "Thanks, Lisa. Enjoyed the pics."

I'm thinking that particularly our international contingent may not know what things like klipspringers and steenbokkies look like

Got carried away...

Ha! We can never have too much enthusiasm.

Wish it would spill into my studies

Where are these pics of yours Lisa?