I can’t remember at what age I fell in love with reading but
I remember always loving a good story. I learnt from a young age that between
the pages of a book is where lots of magical things happen and you meet
characters you sometimes feel sad to leave behind when the story comes to an
end. Through books, I’ve travelled the world and seen amazing places.
Sometimes I wonder what the world looks like for those who
do not read. What does it feel like to never have had crazy adventures with
Huckleberry Finn as a child or not know one of the most recognised lines in
fiction ("frankly my dear, I don't give a damn")
from the book Gone With the Wind?
Nevertheless, I’ve had awesome adventures,
and I would like to share with you three of the many books that granted me such
wonderful times. Perhaps you may read them also and enjoy your own adventures…
The Burning Shore
Author:
Wilbur Smith
This novel is set during and after
World War I. It is part of the Courtney
series written by South African writer Wilbur Smith but it is not the first
book in the series. However, it is the first I read. It is a story of a young
woman of aristocratic birth Centaine de Thiry whose entire life is turned
inside out by World War I. Pregnant and
alone, she enrols as a nurse and boards a hospital ship for south Africa. The
ship is attacked by the Germans and Centaine ends up on Skeleton Coast. She is
adopted by two San (the first people of South Africa) and learns how to survive
in the desert. Through this book, I was able to travel through war torn France
to the depths of the African wilderness.
Golden
Fox
Author:
Wilbur Smith
Okay, by now you’ve realised I adore
Wilbur Smith’s books. This book is also part of the Courtney series and covers
the life of Isabella Courtney. You will be part of a whirlwind of affluence and
success, which will turn out to be hardships and pain behind a mask, as the
entire Courtney family is drawn into the lair of the golden fox. This book
allowed me the opportunity to travel through London society, the splendor of
Europe and opened my eyes to the effects of apartheid on South African
citizens, without having to take an actual history class. The story weaves
through South Africa, London, Spain, Russia and Cuba.
The
Far Pavilions
Author:
M. M. Kaye
This book tells a tale of
British-Indian history. The entire story is set in India when it was a colony
of Britain. Ashton, a young boy of British heritage struggles to survive in
India after his parents and his nanny dies. He thinks he is an Indian, and
later struggles with his identity when he learns he is British. He joins the British
army and falls in love with Anjuli, one of the Indian princesses he is ordered
to guard. Just like Ashton, Anjuli struggles with her identity. Her deceased
mother was half Russian, half Indian. Because of this, Anjuli is considered a
half-breed. The princess is given into an arranged marriage which Ashton later
saves her from. The entire book is spread across many beautiful places in India
and tells the story of colonized India, of marginalization due to race and of
forbidden love. It’s an amazing journey to take with Ashton and Anjuli and I
got to take it.
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