The Story of an African Farm

<p><I>The Story of an African Farm</I> (1883) is a novel by South African political activist and writer Olive Schreiner. Her first published novel <I>The Story of an African Farm</I> was a bestseller upon its release despite being criticized for its portrayal of controversial social religious and political themes. Part Bildungsroman part philosophical fiction the novel is recognized as a groundbreaking work for its exploration of feminism atheism and the influence of British imperialism on the peoples of South Africa.</p><p>Split into three sections the novel begins with the childhood of its three main characters. Waldo the son of the German farm-keeper Otto is an intelligent and introspective boy who struggles with his religious faith and attempts to understand himself in relation to the order of the universe. Lyndall is a deeply philosophical thinker who strives toward independence and resists the gender norms imposed upon her by adults and others who would try to control her. Em Lyndall's cousin is a friendly girl who tends to believe others without questioning authority or intention. When an English businessman named Bonaparte Blenkins arrives at the farm looking for work the children begin to suffer under his cruelly selective verbal and psychological abuse. As Blenkins attempts to position himself for control of Tant Sannie's farm the children gain an informal education in treachery and the dynamics of power disrupting their seemingly idyllic life in rural South Africa. The novel follows Waldo Lyndall and Em into adulthood tracing their lives through their changing opinions towards romance faith and gender while illuminating the love that binds them despite their differences.</p><p>With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript this edition of Olive Schreiner's <I>The Story of an African Farm</I> is a classic of South African literature reimagined for modern readers.</p>