Between Sun and Sand: A Tale of an African Desert

"Between Sun and Sand: A Tale of an African Desert" by William Charles Scully is a fictional novel written in the late 19th century. Set against the backdrop of the harsh and arid landscapes of Bushmanland, South Africa, the book paints a vivid picture of the lives of the nomadic Trek-Boers and the remnants of the indigenous Bushmen who once inhabited the area. It introduces a cast of characters, including Old Schalk Hattingh and the intriguing young woman Susannah, navigating their rugged existence amidst social and cultural tensions. The opening of the novel describes the stark, unforgiving environment of Bushmanland, establishing the setting where the Trek-Boers reside in contrast to the extinct Bushmen. It introduces Old Schalk Hattingh, an aging Trek-Boer patriarch who reflects on his life in these arid plains. The narrative establishes the themes of survival and adaptation in a land marked by drought and scarcity, as well as hints at the interpersonal dynamics that will unfold, particularly concerning the relationships between the characters like Susannah and Max Steinmetz, a young Jew who finds himself intertwined with the Trek-Boers. As the descriptions transition into the lives of these characters, the book sets up an exploration of love, culture, and the harsh realities of life in the African desert. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Charles Scully is one of South Africa's best-known authors, although little known outside South Africa. In addition to his work as an author, his paid work was principally as a magistrate in Springfontein, South Africa, as well as in Namaqualand and the Transkei. His last position before retirement was as Chief Magistrate of Port Elizabeth, one of South Africa's larger cities. He organised the building of "New Brighton", a township for aboriginal African people in Port Elizabeth. At the time it was regarded as very progressive—a pleasant place to live.