Life on the Zulu Veld

A novel about Zululand in the form of a monologue by a homicidal maniac has the makings of a rather engaging talc. Unfortunately, when much of the story consists of "Chicken Every Sunday" family incidents, the musings of a madman are hardly the appropriate narrative device. Only the excellent and perceptive writing and the author's wide knowledge of the locale rescue the book fro the awkwardness of the plot.

The story follows the fortunes of two English families living on the Zulu veld in South Africa. The Elliots had fled scandal in England; Mrs. Ashburn had brought her family in abortive search of a fortune in cotton. They eke out a poor existence from the wilderness, contending with drought, fever, and the whims of the Zulus, Mrs. Ashburn even resorts to hatching python eggs for spare cash.

Through this story wanders Mrs. Ashburn's younger son, Danny, the maniac narrator, who lives half the time with the Zulus, sings when he is happy, and lies on his back on the veld and howls when he is sad. Danny is a somewhat disruptive influence; he ruins his sister's marriage, attempts to strangle his own son, and murders his brother out of jealously over the love of the Elliot's daughter.

With this sort of central character, one would expect a novel in the tradition of Faulkner. But "A Grove of Fever Trees" has much more the air of a collection of odd and colorful family reminiscences and in this setting, the character of Danny appears singularly out of place.

The novel is best when it is describing the everyday life of the two transplanted families as they strive to maintain an English civilization of tea and tennis against the veld. Major Elliot pulls up the fever trees to build a formal park and garden around his house; Mrs. Ashburn holds a "musical evening" for the two families every Wednesday. In the portrayal of the subtle tensions and affections of their family life, the author shows fine perception.

"A Grove of Fever Trees" is a badly constructed book. Much of the action is melodramatic and contrived. But the setting is strange and interesting enough, and the writing of high enough calibre to make the novel absorbing reading. Maxwell E. Foster, Jr.