Review of Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana
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Review of Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana
[Following is a volunteer review of "Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana" by James Mace.]
Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana by James Mace is Book One of the Anglo-Zulu War. It is categorised as historical fiction. The book starts with a prologue that sets the scene of what is going on in the Zulu kingdom. We see how King Cetshwayo relates to the well-known King Shaka and how each came to rule. This is significant in establishing the origins of the relationship between the Zulu and the British. Mace goes on to establish his British characters and their life stories so that we can see where they're coming from. From this information, we can see the environment in which the Battle of Isandlwana is born. The constant back-and-forth from side to side is one of the strong points of the book as it creates a convergent atmosphere that adds to the suspense and tension of what eventually unfolds.
The book has multiple strong points. Trying to share them all with you will make this review almost as long as the book. So I will stick to a recurrent aspect that I truly appreciated: the richness of the characters. The historical accuracy employed here allowed me to learn a lot more about the people involved in the Battle of Isandlwana. I enjoyed how Mace paid careful attention to showing both sides of the story and different aspects of the characters' lives. He did a great job of ensuring that in padding this part of history with fiction, he did not lose the essence of the characters actually being people.
The only flaw in the book lies in its spelling and grammar errors. As Mace makes use of both English and Zulu, the errors also appear in both languages. Seeing that English is the main language used, I was more disappointed by the Zulu errors as the language mainly appeared in repeated single words and a handful of sentences. Using the language of the local people significantly added to the atmosphere and I appreciate that. I just think he could have put in a little effort towards ensuring the language was correct, considering how it only littered the book. His author's note shows that he did not consult with anyone who might have had proper knowledge of the language which I found an unnecessary oversight on his part.
I would suggest the book to those who enjoy historical fiction. As much as I do not necessarily consider myself a fan of historical fiction, I find myself drawn to these stories and each one I've read has captured my imagination. Because of that, I would also suggest the book to those who might not be fans but are open to trying something new. As you do not need to have any prior historical knowledge to be able to appreciate this piece of work, you can read it and Mace will hold your hand throughout. He provides a full glossary, information on characters, and appendices that help you separate history from fiction.
As I have stated, the book has too many positive aspects to mention. From its characters, the descriptive writing, the rich plot to making use of the language as spoken and written at the time, it is filled with greatness to be savoured. Its only downfall, although quite significant, is in the languages. Even though the spelling and grammar errors were numerous, they did not take away any enjoyment or comprehension, so I do not think that they are significant enough to deprive it of more than one star. Even in my disappointment with how I think Mace neglected to adequately research his Zulu, I still highly recommend this book to its relevant audience. It is because of all of these reasons that I give the book 3 out of 4 stars.
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Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana by James Mace is Book One of the Anglo-Zulu War. It is categorised as historical fiction. The book starts with a prologue that sets the scene of what is going on in the Zulu kingdom. We see how King Cetshwayo relates to the well-known King Shaka and how each came to rule. This is significant in establishing the origins of the relationship between the Zulu and the British. Mace goes on to establish his British characters and their life stories so that we can see where they're coming from. From this information, we can see the environment in which the Battle of Isandlwana is born. The constant back-and-forth from side to side is one of the strong points of the book as it creates a convergent atmosphere that adds to the suspense and tension of what eventually unfolds.
The book has multiple strong points. Trying to share them all with you will make this review almost as long as the book. So I will stick to a recurrent aspect that I truly appreciated: the richness of the characters. The historical accuracy employed here allowed me to learn a lot more about the people involved in the Battle of Isandlwana. I enjoyed how Mace paid careful attention to showing both sides of the story and different aspects of the characters' lives. He did a great job of ensuring that in padding this part of history with fiction, he did not lose the essence of the characters actually being people.
The only flaw in the book lies in its spelling and grammar errors. As Mace makes use of both English and Zulu, the errors also appear in both languages. Seeing that English is the main language used, I was more disappointed by the Zulu errors as the language mainly appeared in repeated single words and a handful of sentences. Using the language of the local people significantly added to the atmosphere and I appreciate that. I just think he could have put in a little effort towards ensuring the language was correct, considering how it only littered the book. His author's note shows that he did not consult with anyone who might have had proper knowledge of the language which I found an unnecessary oversight on his part.
I would suggest the book to those who enjoy historical fiction. As much as I do not necessarily consider myself a fan of historical fiction, I find myself drawn to these stories and each one I've read has captured my imagination. Because of that, I would also suggest the book to those who might not be fans but are open to trying something new. As you do not need to have any prior historical knowledge to be able to appreciate this piece of work, you can read it and Mace will hold your hand throughout. He provides a full glossary, information on characters, and appendices that help you separate history from fiction.
As I have stated, the book has too many positive aspects to mention. From its characters, the descriptive writing, the rich plot to making use of the language as spoken and written at the time, it is filled with greatness to be savoured. Its only downfall, although quite significant, is in the languages. Even though the spelling and grammar errors were numerous, they did not take away any enjoyment or comprehension, so I do not think that they are significant enough to deprive it of more than one star. Even in my disappointment with how I think Mace neglected to adequately research his Zulu, I still highly recommend this book to its relevant audience. It is because of all of these reasons that I give the book 3 out of 4 stars.
******
Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
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