The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh
About the book:
Frances Irvine, left penniless after her father's sudden death, is forced to emigrate from England to South Africa in the 1880s. In this barren country, she meets two very different men - one driven by ambition, the other by ideals. When a smallpox outbreak sends her to the diamond mines, she is drawn into a ruthless world of greed and exploitation, of human lives crushed in the scramble for power. But here, at last, she sees her path to happiness. Torn between passion and integrity, she makes a choice that has devastating consequences...
Why it’s great:
This is a beautifully written book where you can’t help but be touched by the extraordinary journey into the unknown that Frances takes. It’s a fascinating insight into South Africa’s turbulent past and the mining industry which has formed such a divisive cornerstone to this fascinating and spectacular country.
Louisa – Africa Specialist