R. M. Ballantyne 
Six Months at the Cape 

A departure from his usual style, ‘Six Months at the Cape’ is an adventurous account by author R.M. Ballantyne of a traveller’s experiences in South Africa. Through a series of letters to a lady known only as Periwinkle, we learn about our narrator’s travels around the country; from his thoughts on dealing with powerful ostriches, to the ecstasy of feeling much longed-for rain, and even his wonder at seeing his first diamonds. This is a fascinating tale, rich with detail and description. —