A Vendetta of the Desert

"A Vendetta of the Desert" by William Charles Scully is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around the van der Walt family, primarily Tyardt van der Walt, and the cursed legacy of betrayal and revenge that shapes their lives. It brings to life themes of familial strife, supernatural elements, and the harsh, yet vibrant, South African landscape. The beginning of the novel introduces us to Tyardt van der Walt and the haunting legend surrounding his family, which speaks of a curse initiated by a betrayal from centuries ago. Tyardt's family lineage carries a heavy burden, leading him to forsake his comfortable life for the wilderness, where his internal struggles manifest in paranoia and fear. As the story unfolds, the complex relationships between Tyardt’s sons, Gideon and Stephanus, are explored, particularly highlighting their tumultuous bond stemming from love and rivalry over family inheritance and unspoken affections. A pivotal moment occurs when a conflict escalates into violence, paving the way for the dark family drama that follows, punctuated by themes of guilt and the search for redemption. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Charles Scully is one of South Africa's best-known authors, although little known outside South Africa. In addition to his work as an author, his paid work was principally as a magistrate in Springfontein, South Africa, as well as in Namaqualand and the Transkei. His last position before retirement was as Chief Magistrate of Port Elizabeth, one of South Africa's larger cities. He organised the building of "New Brighton", a township for aboriginal African people in Port Elizabeth. At the time it was regarded as very progressive—a pleasant place to live.