Die pad na die see by Pieter Pieterse

Die pad na die see (Afrikaans Great Trek Youth Novel, Softcover 1989)

A Great Trek Adventure of Cattle, Lions and Coming of Age on the Road to Delagoa Bay

Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: Die pad na die see
• Author: Pieter Pieterse
• Publisher: Tafelberg, Kaapstad
• Publication Date: 1989
• ISBN-13: 9780624028581
• ISBN-10: 0624028585
• Edition Details: Eerste sagtebanduitgawe (first softcover edition), 1989. First published in 1988.
• Binding: Publisher's illustrated yellow paper wrappers, glued binding.
• Physical Format: Medium softcover, roughly 200 x 130 mm. No maps or plates.
• Language: Afrikaans

Official Condition Report

• The Book: Good (G)
• Exterior / Wraps: The yellow illustrated wrappers are clean and bright, with a little light wear at the edges. The yellow spine is clean, with slight creasing near the base. The back cover is clean. The cover illustration of cattle and a dog is in yellow and red tones.
• Interior: The pages are toned throughout, as expected for the paper. The front free endpaper shows scattered light foxing and a few brown spots, with a small damp-type mark near the gutter edge. The text pages seen are clean and legible, and the binding is tight. No writing or markings.
• The Dust Jacket: Not Applicable (As Issued)

Synopsis & Historical Value

Die pad na die see is a historical novel for young readers by Pieter Pieterse, set during the Great Trek. It follows the Trichardt trek of 1835 to 1837, during the stay in the Soutpansberg and the later journey towards Delagoa Bay.

Sixteen-year-old Pieta Trichardt and the old herder Danster guard the trek's cattle against lions while sickness spreads through the camp. Pieta wrestles with his rivalry with Willem, his shifting feelings for Hanna and Sarie, and the spirit-like presence of a great lion, while he looks for answers to what troubles him.

The novel won the gold Sanlam prize for youth literature in 1988. It later appeared in English as The way to the sea, and it remains a worthwhile Afrikaans title for collectors of Great Trek fiction and Afrikaans youth literature.

Author Profile: Pieter Pieterse

Pieter Pieterse (1936-2002) was born in Pietersburg and died in Marloth Park. He worked as a policeman and later as an insurance representative before concentrating on writing.

His first short story was published in 1956, and more than thirty novels followed, fourteen of them translated into English. His notable works include Tietiesbaaikos, Anderkant die Groot Rivier and Die lang pad, which appeared in English as Track of the dark dog.

Die pad na die see Pieter Pieterse · Pieter Pieterse Tafelberg 1989 · Great Trek youth novel Afrikaans · Trichardt trek Soutpansberg novel · Sanlam prize youth literature book · Afrikaans Voortrekker fiction