The Colony of Good Hope

A powerful historical novel about the first encounters between Danish colonists and Greenlanders in the early eighteenth century, exploring the forces that drive each individual towards darkness or light.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 576 pages
Publication date: 16 February 2023
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

A remarkable novel that delves into the depths of human existence, The Colony of Good Hope is a powerful chronicle of lives lived on the edge. In the vein of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, this historical novel offers a profound exploration of the first encounters between Danish colonists and Greenlanders in the early eighteenth century. It vividly depicts the brutal clashes between priests and pagans, as well as the forces that push individuals towards darkness or light.

In 1728, the Danish King Fredrik IV dispatched a governor to Greenland with the intention of exploiting the country's purported abundant natural resources. Accompanying the governor were a handful of merchants, a barber-surgeon, two trainee priests, a blacksmith, some carpenters, soldiers, and a dozen hastily married couples. Among the newcomers was the missionary priest Hans Egede, who had already spent several years in Greenland. He had established a mission there, but the number of converts was limited. One of the most vocal opponents of Egede was the shaman Aappaluttoq, whose own son had been taken by the priest and raised in the Christian faith as his own. This deep divide between two men and two ways of life gave rise to the colony's eventual downfall.

As the new colonists settled in Greenland, they quickly descended into a life of almost complete dissolution. Unsanitary conditions, illness, and death soon took their toll, bringing the colony to its knees. Despite the hardships, Egede remained steadfast in his determination to fulfill his mission. He was willing to sacrifice even those he loved for the sake of his cause, demonstrating the unwavering commitment of missionaries to their work.

Translated from Danish by Martin Aitken and Kim Leine, The Colony of Good Hope offers a captivating glimpse into the complexities of cultural confrontation. Set in a distant colony under harsh conditions, the novel explores the interplay between the overwhelming forces of nature and the vices of man. Through its vivid storytelling and profound insights, The Colony of Good Hope serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of human beings in the face of adversity.

Weight: 404g
Dimension: 130 x 198 x 39 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529014358