Riet de Jong-Goossens Book order (chronological)

Het leven van twee vrienden wordt getekend door de laatste maanden van de Tweede Boerenoorlog (1899-1902) in Zuid-Afrika.

This is the story of the four inhabitants of 127 Martha Street in the poor white suburb of Triomf. Living on the ruins of old Sophiatown, the freehold township razed to the ground as a so-called 'black spot', they await with trepidation their country's first democratic elections. It is a date that coincides fatefully with the fortieth birthday of Lambert, the oversexed misfit son of the house. There is also Treppie, master of misrule and family metaphysician; Pop, the angel of peace teetering on the brink of the grave; and Mol, the materfamilias in her eternal housecoat. Pestered on a daily basis by nosy neighbours, National Party canvassers and Jehovah's Witnesses, defenceless against the big city towering over them like a vengeful dinosaur, they often resort to quoting to each other the only consolation that they know; we still have each other and a roof over our heads. TRIOMF relentlessly probes Afrikaner history and politics, revealing the bizarre and tragic effect that apartheid had on exactly the white underclass who were most supposed to benefit. It is also a seriously funny investigation of the human endeavour to make sense of life even under the most abject of circumstances.

The book captivates with its blend of brilliance and haunting themes, drawing readers into a profound exploration of complex emotions and experiences. Through its evocative narrative, it promises to leave a lasting impact, encouraging deep reflection on the human condition. Toni Morrison's endorsement highlights its powerful storytelling and emotional depth, suggesting a journey that is both enchanting and thought-provoking.

"Ons is ses wat in die kliphuis woon: ek en my Franse man Alain, en vier kinders tussen die ouderdomme van drie en sewentien. Syne, myne, ons s’n. Dis ons. Maar dis nie al nie. In die somer word ons getalle op ‘n daaglikse basis aangevul. Provence in die somer is soos Stilbaai in Desember: groot pret vir vakansiegangers, minder pret vir permanente inwoners. Laas somer het ons drie maande lank elke enkele nag oorslaapgaste gehad. Soms tot vyf, ses op ‘n slag. Saam met on ses gesinslede, die tienderjarige Neef uit die Noorde wat elke somer hier deurbring, en Daniel se maats wat soos potplante voor die Playstation in sy slaapkamer rondhang, beteken dit gróótskaalse etes elke dag. Kos soos vir ‘n kerkbasaar. Gelukkig hou Alain van koskook. Gelukkig is hy die soort kok wat met drie uie en ‘n wortel ‘n pot sop vir twintig mense kan optower. Ek het ook geleer om van koskook te hou (wat anders kon ek doen?), maar ek háát alles wat daarmee saamgaan. Die inkopies voor die tyd, die skoonmaak na die tyd, die skottelgoed, die skottelgoed, die skottelgoed. Dis ons. Dis nie so erg soos dit klink nie. Aangename kennis."

A hundred years ago, a small settlement sprang up in theNorthern Cape. A rich diversity of people moved in, as the children were born, Vatmaar became a village. A. H. M. Scholtz tells of Oom Chai, who in turn tells of a Vuurmaak, who in turn introduces someone else. Thus a chain of stories is created interlinking the fates of unforgettable characters like Lance-Corporal George Lewis and his Tswana wife, Rush, Sis Bet, Old Chetty, Hendruk, January, Tant Vonnie and her daughters as they recount tales of the Anglo-Boer War, the diamond diggings, court cases and stokvels: the tricksters and the tricked, marriages and funerals, love and betrayal. A Place Called Vatmaar is a panoramic novel: compelling, wise and humane.

Verhalen, spelend in Zuid-Afrika.

Een Nederlander reist in 1870 naar Bloemfontein in Zuid-Afrika in de hoop daar te genezen van zijn tbc.