My Father's Child

Overview

My Father’s Child is a historical novel set against the turbulent backdrop of the Anglo-Boer War, a period marked by devastation, displacement, and suffering across southern Africa. The story centres on a determined woman whose personal struggles unfold amid the larger tragedy of war.

Plot synopsis

The narrative follows a female protagonist raised within a conservative society who finds her life overturned by the war’s harsh realities — including loss, separation, and the destruction of communities. Despite these hardships, she refuses to surrender to despair.

Driven by maternal love and emotional loyalty, she embarks on a deeply personal quest involving both her child and the child’s father. Her journey becomes one of resilience, independence, and emotional courage as she attempts to claim what she believes is rightfully hers.

The novel intertwines intimate family drama with historically grounded depictions of wartime life — including the experiences of Boer civilians, the incarceration of women and children, and the widespread destruction of farms and livelihoods.

Themes

• Maternal love and parental bonds
• Female agency and defiance of social expectations
• The civilian experience of war
• Identity, belonging, and perseverance
• Love tested by conflict and separation

Style and tone

Crawford’s work blends fictional storytelling with historically accurate chronology, creating a narrative that is both emotionally engaging and rooted in real events of the Anglo-Boer War.