Gelofteland by F. A. Venter

Gelofteland (Afrikaans Great Trek Novel, 1985 Softcover)

The Third Novel of F. A. Venter's Great Trek Tetralogy, Building Towards the Battle of Blood River

Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: Gelofteland
• Author: F. A. Venter
• Publisher: Tafelberg-Uitgewers, Kaapstad
• Publication Date: 1985
• ISBN-13: 9780624023135
• ISBN-10: 0624023133
• Edition Details: Eerste uitgawe 1966; Eerste sagtebanduitgawe 1985. Seventh printing 1981 noted on the imprint page.
• Binding: Publisher's illustrated paperback wrappers, perfect bound, in a blue, green and brown cover design.
• Physical Format: Medium to large softcover (trade size). No maps or plates.
• Language: Afrikaans

Official Condition Report

• The Book: Good (G)
• Exterior / Wraps: Illustrated wrappers in blue, green and brown. The spine shows creasing and cracking in the blue upper section, with a vertical crease near the foot. A vertical crease or mark to the lower right of the front cover. The edges are slightly rubbed and there is some light spotting to the cover.
• Interior: The pages are toned and yellowed with age. The front free endpaper carries brownish finger-like stains and a crease, with a further stain on the facing page. The title page has a small crease and slight toning. The text pages seen are clean though toned, and the binding is tight.
• Provenance: Handwritten blue ink name and date on the front free endpaper, dated 14/12/83, together with a small seated scribe emblem and a price, R4, in the top corner.
• The Dust Jacket: Not Applicable (As Issued)

Synopsis & Historical Value

Gelofteland is the third novel in F. A. Venter's celebrated Great Trek tetralogy, which also comprises Geknelde land, Offerland and Bedoelde land. The series follows the fate of the Boers during the Great Trek, and this volume is regarded as bringing the tension of the cycle to its high point.

The story follows the Dreyer family in the aftermath of the Moordkoppie attack, as the trek families face dangerous decisions in Natal and their dealings with the Zulu kingdom under Dingaan. The narrative builds towards the Battle of Blood River and the vow that gives the book its title. The back cover reproduces a historic land-grant document signed by Dingaan.

Venter's Lande books are widely read as a set and are credited with helping to reawaken Afrikaner pride and to create heroes through literature. This 1985 Tafelberg softcover is a worthwhile reading or collecting copy for anyone interested in Afrikaans historical fiction and the literary memory of the Great Trek.

Author Profile: F. A. Venter

Francois Alwyn (F. A.) Venter was born in Hopetown on 27 November 1916 and died in Strand on 8 July 1997. He began a career in journalism in 1938 and turned to full-time writing after retiring in 1976.

He received the Hertzog Prize for prose in 1961 for Swart pelgrim and Geknelde land. His other notable works include Swart Pelgrim (1951), Geknelde Land (1960) and Wit Oemfaan (1965). He also wrote under the pen name Meiring Fouché.