Description
Book SynopsisAn innocent train journey to the graduation ceremony of their brilliant son, Douglas, forever changes the lives of a middle aged couple when they hesitatingly engage in an intimate experiment. Douglas is about to become engaged to Frances, a talented girl of fine social standing.
Trade ReviewThe Law of Douglas van Yssen stands strongly in the tradition of the bildungsroman, the novel of formation, in which the author presents the psychological, moral and social development of an individual and his or her world. In Nel's hands, Douglas van Yssen becomes an archetype for us all. Nel's ability to create empathy is extraordinary. For its range and depth, this novel deserves comparison with Patrick White's great novel of Australian becoming, The Tree of Man. We see Douglas van Yssen, his country and his culture come of age. There is sadness and pain, yes. But as Douglas overcomes and transcends these, so could we all. Nel's accomplished novel explores some of the best - and the worst - aspects of what it is to be human. It is rich in understanding both of what we are, and might yet become. Ross Leckie - The Times, London Paul Nel's debut novel The Law of Douglas van Yssen is an authentic recreation of a bygone period and distinctive mood of rural South Africa in the early 20th century. Set in the Little Karoo town of Oudtshoorn, Nel presents an ingenious and imaginative plot in a narrative form that is rounded, well written and accessible: his prose is intimate, precise, alive, and penetratingly insightful creating an unvarnished portrait of some extraordinary individuals who come to life with lasting vividness, in a story made all the more compelling because much of it is true. Readers' Forum Book Club
