This pioneering work was a cause celebre when it appeared in London, transforming the shape and course of the late Victorian novel. Lynall, Schreiner's articulate young feminist, marks the entry of the controversial New Woman into nineteenth-century fiction. From the haunting plains of South Africa's high Karoo, Schreiner boldly addresses her society's greatest fears: the loss of faith, the dissolution of marriage, and women's social and political independence.
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Editorial Reviews
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Renowned as a pioneering effort of South African literature, The Story of An African Farm was a work strongly influenced by nineteenth-century British traditions, filled with extended philosophical discussions, characters reminiscient of Charles Dickens, and an almost complete silence on the issue of race relations. But for all its Victorian attributes, the novel is a landmark in many ways. First is the setting in the rural South African landscape which Olive Schreiner evokes in all its bleakness and beauty, a fitting backdrop for the spiritual and philosophical development of Lyndall and Waldo, two soulmates who unceasingly search for truth throughout their lives. Their quest is frustrated - in Lyndall's case by gender restrictions and for Waldo by social position. The novel is also significant for Lyndall's character. Her forthright feminism, her refusal to alter her principles and her determination not to marry her lover despite her pregnancy make her a noteworthy female character in nineteenth century literature. In the end, the book has an uneven quality, but it is important both for its place in literary history and for the moments when it soars in its descriptions and philosophical revelations. -- For great reviews of books for girls, check out Let's Hear It for the Girls: 375 Great Books for Readers 2-14. -- From 500 Great Books by Women; review by Erica Bauermeister
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Picture of South African Victorian Culture,
By "mr_medlin" (East Lansing, MI United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Story of an African Farm (Modern Classics) (Paperback)
Written about a South African farm. this book depicts the story of a family and how they interact throughout the book. The most striking dynamic in the book is the relationships of the women in it. It portrays female existence in a realistic light even for today. The story has a lot of character to it, and I would recommend it highly for teachers who want to teach about feminism.
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