{"id":1235,"date":"2020-02-12T19:41:29","date_gmt":"2020-02-13T02:41:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/afrikaner\/?p=1235"},"modified":"2020-02-12T19:41:29","modified_gmt":"2020-02-13T02:41:29","slug":"i-was-very-surprised-at-your-insight-into-my-psyche-as-an-afrikaner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/afrikaner\/2020\/02\/12\/i-was-very-surprised-at-your-insight-into-my-psyche-as-an-afrikaner\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI was very surprised at your insight into my psyche as an Afrikaner\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"South African actor Gys de Villiers (\u201cMandela: A Long Walk to Freedom<\/a>\u201d) has kindly accepted to provide his feedback on my novel\u00a0The Afrikaner<\/em><\/a>, a story of hate, love, guilt and scientific obsession inspired by the five years (1996-2000) I spent in newly post-apartheid South Africa as an international reporter for the Italian press.<\/p>\n

I am grateful for his comments, which support my understanding of how creative writers should go about their craft when dealing with other cultural landscapes and the multifarious workings of human nature \u2013 that is, with great humbleness, the utmost respect, an open mind, and an unquenchable curiosity. These elements are at the basis of any attempt at cultural permeation, interpretation, and understanding.<\/p>\n

You can read Gys de Villier\u2019s full feedback on\u00a0The Afrikaner<\/em><\/a>\u00a0here:<\/p>\n

\u201cI really enjoyed your story.\u00a0It was quite moving and I felt intrigued to continue reading till the end.<\/p>\n

It is uncanny how you as a foreigner could\u00a0pinpoint so accurately my own well-guarded emotions about being an Afrikaner.<\/p>\n

There were times when I was very surprised at your insight into my psyche as an Afrikaner.\u00a0I wanted to shout out,\u00a0no you can’t share that with the\u00a0world; like the complex military situation during conscription, also the lingering suspicion, resentment and racism that is still part of South Africa.<\/p>\n

I like the exploration of Zoe into her maternal line, trying to understand and break free from the supposed curse.\u00a0\u00a0I also felt her deep love and loss of Dario [her lover].<\/p>\n

I enjoyed Zoe\u2019s interactions with the Khoisan Koma [the shaman] and wanted more of that.<\/p>\n

I\u00a0thought Sam was a very recognizable character that I\u00a0might have known in\u00a0SA.<\/p>\n

I also loved Zoe\u2019s relationship with\u00a0Georgina, the old housekeeper which is all too familiar and which forms the base of stability in many a South African\u00a0household.<\/p>\n

The determination with which Zoe tackles her archaeological digs reminds me of all the strong Afrikaner women I know and have known including my\u00a0mother and sisters.<\/p>\n

The story was quite moving and I felt intrigued to continue reading till the end.<\/p>\n

Good luck with your film version.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hate, Love, Guilt and Redemption under African Skies<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n