Dalene Matthee
Dalene Matthee (1938–2005) was a prominent South African author best known for her four Forest Novels, which are set in the Knysna Forest. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and are celebrated for their portrayal of South African culture and environmental issues. 'Fiela's Child' and 'Circles in a Forest' are among her most acclaimed works.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Fiela's Child
The book is a poignant tale set in 19th-century South Africa, where a young white boy, believed to be lost by his biological family, is found and raised by Fiela, a compassionate and strong-willed woman of the Khoikhoi community. The story unfolds as the boy, named Benjamin, grows up with a deep sense of belonging in Fiela's family, only to have his identity and future thrown into turmoil when government officials, enforcing racial classifications of the time, remove him from his home. He is then forced to live with a destitute white family in the dense Knysna Forest, leading to a profound exploration of identity, race, and the meaning of family, as both Fiela and Benjamin struggle to reclaim their lives and assert their rightful place in a society governed by strict racial divides.
The 4731st Greatest Book of All Time
