Morenga: NovelNew Directions Publishing, 2003 - 340 pages A gripping historical novel about colonial power and tribal rebellion, set in German-occupied Southwest Africa. Uwe Timm (Headhunter, The Invention of Curried Sausage) has been described in The New Yorker as "an extraordinary storyteller." In this early novel, he focuses his narrative talents on the historical conflict between German colonists and African tribes under the leadership of the legendary Morenga in the first decade of the 20th century. A daring and brilliant military tactician, Morenga was fluent in several languages and by all reports a man of compassion, intelligence, and integrity, as he led his people towards freedom. Recounted through the eyes of Gottschalk, an engaging fictional military veterinarian, the narrative blends quotations from historical sources with actual accounts of everyday life and military excursions. The parallels between past events and later German history, with its notions of the Untermensch (subhuman beings) and racial inferiority, are subtly brought to mind, while significant philosophical, political, and human issues are at play. Morenga is an intriguing novel of scope and significance, and it has been well served by Breon Mitchell's prize-winning translation. |
Contents
Section 1 | 22 |
Section 2 | 24 |
Section 3 | 28 |
Section 4 | 33 |
Section 5 | 115 |
Section 6 | 119 |
Section 7 | 120 |
Section 8 | 135 |
Section 11 | 269 |
Section 12 | 277 |
Section 13 | 299 |
Section 14 | 305 |
Section 15 | 306 |
Section 16 | 327 |
Section 17 | 332 |
Section 18 | 338 |
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Common terms and phrases
already animals arms arrived asked attack barrel battle Bethany brandy called camel Cape Captain carried cattle Colonel Colonial Company course Deimling detachment diary enemy English eyes face fact felt finally fire forced four German going Gorth Gottschalk Guard hand head heard Hereros horse Hottentots immediately Keetmanshoop Klügge land later leave Lieutenant living look Major military mission missionary months Morenga morning Morris moved natives never night officers once ordered oxen passed patrol person pulled question rain reached rebels received remained replied riding sand seemed seen shot side sitting soldiers South South West Africa staff standing stood strange taken thing thought told took Treptow tribe tried troops turned village wagon wanted Warmbad Wenstrup Witbooi wounded Zeisse