A Long Time Coming
It took a very long time for me to pluck up the courage to read a Beverly Harper novel. I have long been a fan of stories set in Africa, reading books like "Skin Deep" as an early teen and developing a love affair with "The Power of One" in my twenties (it still exists today). I would constantly go into bookstores and pick up books by Beverly Harper, thinking how great they sounded. I never bought one because I simply didn't want to be disappointed. Fortunately for me I found a rather dogeared copy of "Edge of the Rain" for a couple of dollars at a flea market. Once I had read it there was simply no hesitation the next time I was in a bookstore. Sadly her collection is limited but the stories are simply some of the best that I have read.
lens photo from: http://southafricabooks.com/BeverleyHarper.htm
lens photo from: http://southafricabooks.com/BeverleyHarper.htm
Too Little Information.
I wanted to write this lens so that I could find out more about a woman who captured my heart through her novels. Unfortunately information about Beverly Harper's life is very limited (either that or I haven't tried to research in the right places). The most comprehensive information that I have found is that which any fan can find in the front of her novels.
For me this has meant a shift in focus for the lens, from one about Beverly Harper to one about what I think of her books. My quest has not ended and I hope in the future to have found the information I crave and bring you a truly comprehensive lens about Beverly Harper.
For me this has meant a shift in focus for the lens, from one about Beverly Harper to one about what I think of her books. My quest has not ended and I hope in the future to have found the information I crave and bring you a truly comprehensive lens about Beverly Harper.
The Edge of the Rain
This was the first novel by Beverly Harper that I ever read. I am not sure if it is my favourite but I certainly pick it up on a regular basis.
This book was first published in 1997 and the first thing that grabs your attention when you open the cover is that the opening chapter, short though it may be grips you from the first sentence. It takes the point of view of a lion who has caught on to the scent of a small boy out in the middle of the Kalahari desert.
It turns out that the toddler, Alex, is lost and alone in the harshness of the Kalahari. Alex is found by a pair of bushmen who are won over by the white skinned toddler and set out to find his family.
Alex is reunited with his family whose farm is perched on the "edge of the rain" and struggling to survive. There is a tale of a family growing apart in the heart of Africa. In some ways Alex still seems to be lost and is drawn back into the heart of the Kalahari.
This book was first published in 1997 and the first thing that grabs your attention when you open the cover is that the opening chapter, short though it may be grips you from the first sentence. It takes the point of view of a lion who has caught on to the scent of a small boy out in the middle of the Kalahari desert.
It turns out that the toddler, Alex, is lost and alone in the harshness of the Kalahari. Alex is found by a pair of bushmen who are won over by the white skinned toddler and set out to find his family.
Alex is reunited with his family whose farm is perched on the "edge of the rain" and struggling to survive. There is a tale of a family growing apart in the heart of Africa. In some ways Alex still seems to be lost and is drawn back into the heart of the Kalahari.
The Edge of the Rain
Edge of the Rain
Amazon Price: (as of 01/01/2010) 
List Price:
Jackal's Dance
This book was first published in 2001 and is set at a lodge in a Namibian national park. The staff are beginning to wind down as the tourist season draws to a close and they prepare to bid farewell to their remaining guests. Close by a professor and his student are researching the resident jackal population but are forced to move into the lodge's grounds after they become aware of a dangerous elephant in the area.
Things take a turn for the worse at the lodge.The group are taken hostage and forced into a traumatic situation where they get to test the true strength of their character.
Things take a turn for the worse at the lodge.The group are taken hostage and forced into a traumatic situation where they get to test the true strength of their character.
Jackals Dance
Jackal's Dance
Amazon Price: (as of 01/01/2010)
The Best Beverley Harper Novel
I love all of Beverly Harper's works and have a really hard time recommending my favourite. Here is a list of her novels. Read them for yourself then vote for your favourite.
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- Holly Holly Aug 19, 2009 @ 4:40 am
- Hi Everyone
Living in SA and being South African I was also slightly doubtful about her books. My father forced me to read one and I fell in love with them immediately she catches the heart of Africa - i dont have a favourite book of hers because the all my favourite i recommend her books to everyone i meet. Every book touched me in some way and its sad that she no longer around to share her stories - i think i may have cried in every book.
Thank you Beverly Harper you have definately changed the ideas of africa and what alot of people may have regarded what africa was.
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- Selina Selina Aug 14, 2009 @ 9:33 pm
- I too am an admirer of Beverley Harper's writings. I have read all of them and even some, the entire book in one sitting
She describes things as though you are watching them on a movie theatre screen and I can almost smell the dust and animals
If you are looking for other African Story authors, I have read all of the available Tony Park ones - am waiting for the latest one due out now, Aug 09, and all the Bryce Courtney African Collection. I have also enjoyed the stories of Alexander McCall Smith. I have collected and read Frank Coates African books. I also have enjoyed the books of Corinne Hofmann (The White Masai author).
Then there is the one off books I have found like Silent Footsteps by Sally Henderson, Lioness by Shirley Palmer. I also enjoyed Cola's Journey by Cola Bilkuei - the story of a Sudanese child soldier to Australian refugee.
All these authors came after my love of Beverley's writing.
I just love all things African really
If anyone has any other suggestion
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- wendy wendy Jun 27, 2009 @ 8:22 am
- i have read all her books twice now, the thing i like best about them is that i can see them playing out in my head like a movie like i am there. its amazing.
i have always had a strong passion for africa and wish to go there one day...
i couldnt pick a favourite i wish she was still had written more books, or even that she was still around i would have loved to shake her hand and congraterlate her for her amazing work as an author...
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- kieth brown kieth brown May 29, 2009 @ 8:14 am
- I have read a lot of novels in my time , and I find that Beverly Harpers are the best I have ever read .
It is very unfortunate that this lady has left all her readers wanting more . God bless this lady and her stories that hold us all in awe..
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- True Fan True Fan May 7, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
- Reading Beverley's books is like taking a trip to africa and not haveing to get on the plane she can take you there. I will never forget the time that i met Beverly (she makes the best pea & ham soup). I became friends with one of her sons Miles (who is a great artist - i still have my egg with the cow on it Thanks Miles). I cant stop reading her books i have the lot and i think that i have read each a dozon times over, Thank You and we miss you.
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- Adam Harper Adam Harper Apr 23, 2009 @ 10:14 pm
- I am the youngest son of Beverley Harper and find it so touching that people still speak so highly of her writing and how often people have commented about her writing inspiring them. She is greatly missed, and wrote in a relatively unpopulated genre, Wilbur aside of course. There are now several writers who have been bitten by the 'Africa bug' and do a great job in this area. I hope it continues and I also hope that my mother's writing continues to please all who read her books.
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- Jacobus Jacobus Apr 9, 2009 @ 9:47 pm
- Only the Good die young.... We'll miss Beverley Harper...
Wilber Smith is excellent ... but things changed when his stories went to Egypt...
It was too much sometimes that all the "Hero's" were always "perfect"....but when Wilber went to Egypt it was all a bit "over the top" for me... his last book I put away after a couple of chapters... Sorry Wibur.
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- Tony Park Tony Park Jan 31, 2009 @ 1:20 pm
- Hi,
I think it's great that you've put all this info up about Beverley as she was a fantastic writer. One of my few regrets in life is that although we are published by the same company I never got to meet her. Good on you.
cheers
tony
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- Avidreader Avidreader Dec 28, 2008 @ 3:34 pm
- After I finished all Beverley Harper's novels (and re-read them!) as well as Wilber Smith's, the library recommended I try Frank Coates. He has written 5 best sellers on Africa and is an Australian writer - see his website at www.footloose.com.au - My favourite author of late, still in the same genre is Tony Park. Another Aussie who does superb research and writes fantastic stories on Africa - see www.tonypark.net - hope this helps!
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- Meagan Meagan Oct 13, 2008 @ 1:13 am
- It's so great to find Beverly Harper fans. I have long been a fan and have read her books every year since I was a teenager. Her books speak to me in a way no other book I have picked up has ever done. It is becasue of her my love affair for Africa has grown. My favourite by far is Edge Of The Rain. I wish she had written more books!! She is a fantastic author!!
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