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Behind the Mountain Mervyn Woodrow Books

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In the far north-eastern corner of South Africa there is a sprawl of mountains known as the Soutpansberg. Between those mountains and the Limpopo river lies a hot, harsh and arid wasteland dismissively referred to as "Behind the Mountain" which has spawned the numerous Toots brothers, a band of undesirables. It has also nurtured Jody, a boy who comes to love this discarded piece of Africa with a passionate intensity. Although set in the political period which sees the rise of Apartheid and the subsequent post-Apartheid land issue, the novel is not primarily political. It focuses on the nature of man; the human condition - often the very inhuman condition - the variations and contradictions within people reared in a particular place and time. Perhaps it focuses on all people at all times. The Toots clan is a bunch of violent, lawless, cattle rustlers, illicit diamond and gold buyers, led by the eldest brother, Israel. Moses is an adherent of an evangelical sect, who spends his time studying the Old Testament and preaching to the heathen on Sundays. His brother Abraham is also a follower of this sect, which does not prevent him from sexually molesting his two young nieces. Two of the other brothers, Jakob and Simeon are into wife-swapping. But then there is also Jeremiah Toots, the youngest brother, a simple and gentle soul. Jody Lanigan provides a different thread to the novel. Much of the action is seen through his questioning young eyes and when he is sent to a Roman Catholic School his perceptions are informed by moral issues, by injustice, and the nature of sin. His encounter with the neighbour's daughter, Anna, and their continued involvement heightens his dilemma. Many questions arise, not least the question of loss. If you are not squeamish and can bite the bullet, you may dare to venture into "Behind the Mountain".