Veldt Official A Novel of Circumstance

A Veldt Official: A Novel of Circumstance by Bertram Mitford is a late 19th-century novel set in the remote township of Doppersdorp in colonial South Africa. The story centers on Roden Musgrave who settles into his new life, where he must navigate the challenges of his position and the complexities of his interactions with a diverse array of characters-some welcoming, others hostile or intrigued by his distant nature. The novel opens with Musgrave aboard a ship nearing Port Elizabeth, where he finds himself uncertain about his new post. After arriving in South Africa, Musgrave faces the discomforts of post-cart travel, including a perilous river crossing with fellow passengers, one of whom is visibly frightened. This scene sets the tone for Musgrave's character-cautious, yet resourceful-as he contends with the daunting landscape and the social dynamics of the people around him. Through Musgrave's eyes, the novel explores themes of isolation, adaptation, and the harsh realities of life in colonial Africa, as he navigates both the physical and social challenges of his new environment.