Verhale oor die Anglo-Boereoorlog

Abstract

Fiction on the Anglo-Boer War This article gives an overview of fictional prose about the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. In contrast to the desire of many people to “forgive and forget" this past war, some authors for example Gustav Preller and D.F. Malherbe, told stories to remind the reader of the suffering of the past. Stereotypical patterns in a number of conventional war stories are mentioned in the article, followed by a discussion of fictional texts deviating from these conventional patterns - inter alia, works by Johannes van Melle and J.R.L. van Bruggen. In conclusion, texts are analysed which use the war experience to illuminate the general human condition: works by Etienne Leroux, Elsa Joubert and others.