Aletta: A Tale of the Boer Invasion

"Aletta: A Tale of the Boer Invasion" by Bertram Mitford is set in South Africa during a time of political unrest, following the Boer people as they begin to resist British control. Andries Botma, a spirited speaker from Pretoria, and Stephanus De la Rey, a young Boer grappling with tough choices, take center stage as the story gets ready for battle. The book starts with a powerful speech at a gathering of Boer men, led by Botma, that ignites their sense of patriotism by bringing up old wrongs committed by the English, setting the tone for the story. The mood is tense, hinting at a coming battle and the problems that characters like Stephanus will face as he is pulled between his easy life and the call to fight as the Boer War gets closer. The themes of loyalty, morals, and the brutal facts of war come together to create a story that is both personal and political.