Jock+of+the+Bushveld

//Jock of the Bushveld// by Percy Fitzpatrick is one of the most popular novels in South African history. The book is based on the true stories of a young Percy Fitzpatrick making a living as a transport driver during the gold rush of the 1880s. The book centers on Fitzpatrick's relationship with his dog, Jock, and the adventures they have together. The book was a huge success both critically and commercially and has never been out of print in South Africa. Over the years, several different television and movie versions of the story have been filmed.

The main character, Fitzpatrick, originated from Capetown. He is traveling north to dig for gold when he comes across a group of ox-wagon transporters. Percy asks the owners to join them for a short period of time while he is traveling. On the journey, he oversees one of the crew members trying to drown the “misfit” of a dog pack. Percy saves him, and takes him in as his own. He names him Jock and raises him to be a wonderful pet.

Fitzpatrick didn't make it in the gold fields, so instead he began a business as a transport driver. The book focuses on Fitzpatrick's hunting expeditions with Jock and the relationship he had with his dog. During their adventures, they encounter lions, leopards, crocodiles, baboons, and all sorts of game animals. It's a good look at what life was like in South Africa 150 years ago, especially in the very different attitudes towards race, conservation, and hunting that are portrayed in the story.

This story is a great insight to some of the towns we will visit, the culture, and the people. It really shows you how there are so many different kinds of people in South Africa and how they are all tied together as well.