Half of one thing (Translated from Halfpad Een Ding)*
Gideon Lancaster, a New Zealand soldier fighting for the British, infiltrates a Boer commando. He soon finds himself entangled in a confusion of loyalties as he becomes better acquainted with the men and, worse, falls in love with Esther Calitz, a Boer woman of considerable mettle who demands his loyalty over every other allegiance. Between Esther and Commandant Jacob Eksteen, his taciturn rival in love and a man of clear black-and-white convictions, Lancaster navigates his way only with great difficulty. So powerful are the conflicting demands of fidelity and love that he seizes a quixotic opportunity when a large British battalion is mobilised in what is to be the final triumph of the imperial forces. Half of One Thing is a ripping good read, a love story and a war adventure subtly written with a confident hand.
Author Biography:
Zirk van den Berg made his literary debut with a volume of Afrikaans short stories in 1989, followed by a short historical novel. After moving to New Zealand in 1998, he switched to writing in English. His crime novel, Nobody Dies, was published to considerable acclaim in New Zealand and saw an Afrikaans edition released as 'n Ander mens in South Africa in 2013. Half of One Thing is his first English novel to appear in his native South Africa. Van den Berg is a language practitioner in Auckland.
Gideon Lancaster, n Nieu-Seelander wat vir die Britte veg, infiltreer n Boerekommando. Hy word gou verstrengel in verwarrende lojaliteite wanneer hy die boeresoldate beter leer ken en boonop verlief raak op Esther Calitz, n eiesinnige Boeremeisie wat sy trou bo alle ander eis. Tussen Esther en kommandant Jacob Eksteen, sy swygsame mededinger in die liefde en n man met swart-en-wit beginsels, vind hy sy weg met groot moeite. Die teenstrydige eise van trou en liefde dryf hom tot onbesonnenheid. Hy gryp die kans op n groot waagstuk aan toe n Britse bataljon gemobiliseer word om die oorlog tot n klinkende einde te bring.
