Nada the Lily

In this historical romance set in early nineteenth-century Zululand, an aged Zulu warrior named Mopo recounts his life under the tyrant king Chaka. From his boyhood, when he witnessed Chaka's prophecy of the white man's coming, to his role in the king's assassination, Mopo's tale is one of bloodshed, vengeance, and the enduring love between his fosterling Umslopogaas and the beautiful Nada the Lily. The narrative weaves together historical events, such as Chaka's death and the Boer conflicts, with Zulu legend and custom, including the hunting of hyenas and the fate of lovers at a cave's mouth. It is a story of a people and a kingdom torn apart by cruelty, where loyalty and love struggle against the shadow of a monstrous ruler.

A public-domain text edition with newly prepared typography and a typographic cover. Original printed illustrations are not reproduced.