The Story of an African Farm

This South African classic, written in the 19th century, is set on an isolated farm in the Eastern Cape. It masterfully portrays the hardy existence and rugged mountain landscape of the region, but is also a sophisticated (and surprisingly modern) take on issues such as conservation, ecology, racism, and gender equality. Schreiner has a deep love for the fauna and flora of the region, which shines through in her writing.

Published in 1883, this novel was rediscovered as a classical account of ‘first-wave feminism,’ with Schreiner challenging the then taken-for-granted assumptions about marriage, femininity, motherhood, and gender inequality. Her main characters are white women, who are given ample opportunity to excoriate Victorian patriarchy and fake chivalry. Black characters are barely visible and, given her progressive feminist, anti-imperialist and anti-racist views, some will be disappointed that she does not engage meaningfully with Black Africans. The book has resonance for me because, although I am two generations down the line, Olive Schreiner was a close friend of my grandfather’s sister Betty, while… show more.