Net Worth →
Classic Literature

Reynard the fox in South Africa: or, Hottentot Fables and Tales, chiefly translated from original manuscripts in the Library of His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B.: Classic Book Guide and Free Edit

Reynard the fox in South Africa: or, Hottentot Fables and Tales, chiefly translated from original manuscripts in the Library of His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B.: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Published by Pop Culture Files••2 min read•Automatically generated · review not guaranteed
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

Reynard the fox in South Africa: or, Hottentot Fables and Tales, chiefly translated from original manuscripts in the Library of His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B. is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Bleek, W. H. I. (Wilhelm Heinrich Immanuel) (1827–1875).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"Reynard the Fox in South Africa; or, Hottentot Fables and Tales" by W. H. I. Bleek is a collection of fables and tales written in the mid-19th century. This work translates various traditional Hottentot stories, previously collected from native sources in South Africa, that center around animal characters, notably the cunning jackal and the powerful lion, often conveying moral lessons and cultural insights. The collection aims to celebrate and preserve the rich oral traditions of the Hottentot people, showcasing their unique literary heritage. At the start of the collection, the reader is introduced to a range of fables primarily featuring the jackal, the lion, and other animals, each tale illustrating cleverness, deception, and the natural order of the animal kingdom. The opening stories recount various interactions where the jackal often outsmarts the lion, such as tying the lion's tail to trick him and cunningly stealing food. The narratives not only entertain but also reflect on themes of wisdom and foolishness, control and rebellion, setting a foundation for the moral lessons woven throughout this compilation of South African folklore.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: Reynard the fox in South Africa: or, Hottentot Fables and Tales, chiefly translated from original manuscripts in the Library of His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B.
  • Author credits: Bleek, W. H. I. (Wilhelm Heinrich Immanuel) (1827–1875)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Fables, African
  • Fables, Khoikhoi
  • Khoikhoi (African people) -- Folklore

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore

Read this edition

View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.

Source notes

Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.

Sources

More in Books & Authors