The Sound Of The String: An African Bush Country Novel

With a duffle bag and a handmade longbow Gordon Bradford travels to Africa with an open mind and heart. His first safari leads to more as his spiritual connection with the land, people, and wildlife evolves. He discovers ethereal connections with the animals he pursues and learns from their perspectives the balance of the bushveld, for predator and prey. Gordon is mentored by the sage wisdom of Moses, an elderly black man whose early years were spent in racially torn South Africa. He shares in the lives of the people in a remote bush camp and helps as they defend themselves from baboons, poachers, and an angry mob from a neighboring village that attack the camp. His friendship builds with his guide and Professional Hunter, Lucas, while finding he is falling in love with Lucas’ wife, Lise. Sabotage and subterfuge between Gordon and Lucas is hidden behind their professional and personal relationships as they attempt their most dangerous hunt together for Cape buffalo. During the hunt there is a touching story of the last days of Dagga Boy, an old Cape buffalo, as he is cast from his herd. He travels only with his guardian, Askari, and passes his life’s lessons to the young bull as they navigate the dangers of the bushveld to find water and stay alive. The buffalo and hunters find themselves at the same water hole for a thrilling end which leaves one of them dead, one desperately alone, and the others spinning in clouds of their own conspiracy. As lies are exposed, lives are left in tatters. The Sound of the String captures the setting and appeals to the senses. It summons the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch of Africa. It brings its readers into the bushveld and leaves them immersed.