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The Fever Tree

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The Fever Tree

By: Jennifer McVeigh
Narrated by: Harriet Kershaw
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Summary

Selected for The Richard and Judy Book Club 2013

A compelling portrait of colonial South Africa as well as the life of women near the turn of the century.

South Africa, 1880 - a country torn apart by greed. Frances Irvine, destitute in the wake of her father's sudden death, is forced to abandon her life of wealth and privilege in London and emigrate to the Cape. In this remote and inhospitable land, she becomes entangled with two very different men: one driven by ambition, the other by his ideals.

Only when the rumour of a smallpox epidemic takes her into the dark heart of the diamond mines does Frances see her path to happiness. But this is a ruthless world of greed and exploitation, where the spoils of the rich come at a terrible human cost, and powerful men will go to any lengths to keep the mines in operation.

©2012 Jennifer McVeigh (P)2012 Audible Ltd Fiction Historical Fiction Africa
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Critic reviews

“ The Fever Tree is a skilled unfolding of a woman's struggle with desire, class divide and disease in 19th Century South Africa... the journey, like the landscape, is thrillingly huge: one of love, self-knowledge, human and political self-respect. Frances treads out every step - a naive and intriguing character who brings alive a momentous - and appalling - part of history.” ( Financial Times)
"There is nothing more exciting than a new writer with a genuine voice. I loved it." (Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey)
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If you could sum up The Fever Tree in three words, what would they be?

cinematic, historical, interesting

What does Harriet Kershaw bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The narration was easy flowing and easy to listen to, except Harriet's pronunciation of some basic South African words, mainly velt (pronounced felt) and kopje, grated on me, Frances might have been English but I'm fairly sure she wouldn't have mispronounced these basic, commonly used words which are not said as they are written. Her South African accent was passable so it's a real shame that she didn't research some of these few words as their correct pronunciation would have made her performance great as overall the narration made the character come alive.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely.

Any additional comments?

I picked this book because of the South African setting, having lived there for many years I have fond memories of the velt and the diversity of the people. Jennifer McVeigh has portrayed this, the incredibly harsh beauty of the landscape and the intensity of the weather and people, very well.

This book is also historically fascinating, it depicts the lives not only of the immigrants , the Boers and the locals of that time period but also the history of the diamond mining in Kimberley which shaped South Africa and it's people. Knowing some of the local history already I was keen to confirm and get a better understanding of the period that this book is set in and after some research I stumbled upon the following

link:http://www.jennifermcveigh.com/for-readers-book-clubs/history ,

where I read that 'Joseph Baier' was indeed based on Cecil Rhodes as I suspected. The story itself seems to be based on the diaries of a young doctor which Jennifer McVeigh found in the British Library and even though this book is work of fiction, much of the back story seems to be based on well researched history.

I found the characters likeable, but at times frustrating. Frances's character seems to encompass the naivety I would imagine in a young woman of the era, the desires that sway her and the mistakes she makes are believable.

A very enjoyable listen

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Well written but completely frustrating book. The "heroine" being so completely dim witted all the way through made it very hard to believe.

Annoying book

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What made the experience of listening to The Fever Tree the most enjoyable?

The Narrator had a very clear voice that was pleasant to listen to.She changed her tone and accent for the different characters and that made it easy to follow. The observant descriptions made me feel like I was there, in England, on the boat and in South Africa.
I learnt allot about some history and lifestyles that I hadn't known much about.
I particularly found the smallpox information interesting and loved the descriptions of the flora and fauna and hardship of he veldt.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mariella, She was so real and vibrant, ready to take on the world.

What does Harriet Kershaw bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The sounds of the characters and the environment.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definately, I listened to it on a long car journey and then kept listening through the night when I arrived!!!.

Any additional comments?

I would love to listen to more of Jennifer and Harriets Work

Dust and degradation for English Rose in SA Mines

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Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Listening was an act of perseverance. I kept waiting for the heroine to get her act together. Nearly gave up several times.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The locations were beautifully described, but the main character was incredibly frustrating and so difficult to like. She took far too long to get her act together.

If this book were a film would you go see it?

Yes I would go to see it.

Any additional comments?

Somehow, aside from wanting to shake the main character, I am drawn to this book and will probably listen again. And moan again.

Frustrating Heroine

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I tend to prefer a male narrator but have to say that Haariet Kershaw does an excellent job with this story. The story itself is not unique, but the setting in South Africa with some of the historical details and descriptions of the hardship endured by all but the most wealthy was interesting. The main character is a little frustrating .. you sometimes feel she has reaped what she has sowed, but all in all well worth a listen.

Good tale, well narrated

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