Publisher: University of Namibia Press, Namibia
Pages: 202
Year: 2017
Category: Historical Fiction, Literature, Romance
Dimensions: 216 x 140mm
The Lie of the Land is a novel set
against the background of the German colonial wars in Namibia in the
early 1900s. The central character is an academic in linguistics who
occasionally acts as a British agent. He is a cynical, private
individual who sees himself as a neutral observer but is eventually
forced to take sides when he witnesses the atrocities of the Herero and
Nama genocide and, above all, meets a young Nama woman who enchants him.
The novel explores the shifting nature of the oppressor and the
oppressed.
Despite the unfolding tragic events, the story is lightened by surprising bursts of humour, and is ultimately a love story.
Price range: £20.00 through £21.00
About the author
Jaspar David Utley was the first director of the British Council in
Namibia from 1990 to 1995. His first books Allsorts and other stories
and Ngoma and Click were published in Namibia where he also wrote and
recorded over 30 stories for the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation. From
Namibia he was posted to India where he wrote and published books and
plays for both children and adults. Currently living in Britain, he
regularly directs, produces and acts in amateur dramatics and at present
is working on a novel set in modern Afghanistan.
Review
“A compelling story that pulls the reader in from the very start.
Utley is especially adept at creating realistic settings backed by his
obviously ample research. A tightly plotted and fast-paced novel.”
Lauri Kubuitsile, author of The Scattering
“A very well researched historic novel, it makes events which shaped
the subsequent history of Namibia accessible. The strength of the novel
is the rich and evocative use of language to paint landscapes and
characters and its enthralling use of humour.“
Dr Jeremy Silvester, Historian at the Museums Association of Namibia