Faces, Places and Incredible Spaces
Come out and visit the world’s friendliest arid land, the Karoo. Discover the stories and legends that lie beneath.
The steam train drivers and their stokers who came to roost in De Aar; ten cement dancers in a veld-frenzy on a farm outside Loxton; the Rasta golfers of Calvinia; an offbeat night in Aberdeen; the rockers of Barrydale; a freak springtime snow blizzard in Richmond; the deep-sea cowboys of Port Nolloth; the mountain cowgirls of Graaff-Reinet; how the Gariep Dam was built; the midnight ghosts who walk the veld and the windpumps that bring the water – these are some of the hinterland stories of South Africa.
Karoo Roads is a collector’s treasure box of trips and tales gathered from more than a decade of research and rubber-on-the-road experiences, penned and photographed by two award-winning travel writers, Chris Marais and Julienne du Toit, who will introduce you to some of the loveliest, toughest, most creative and downright crazy characters, critters and cultures thriving in the Dry Country.
NB: If you are ordering one of our print books from outside South Africa, please contact us before paying. We will then work out your particular courier price and send you a quotation.
6 reviews for Karoo Roads
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Bill Davis –
I loved reading this book and cannot wait for No.2!!
Please include me when you are ready so I can again get a signed copy!
Wonderful book, well done !
Bessie Cridland –
We are absolutely delighted. Great publication, full of atmosphere and good stories which make for such relaxed reading. It’s difficult to resist the temptation to pack the car and drive straight to your part of the world to see it again for ourselves!
Peter Dempsey –
My compliments to you and Chris, you have captured so much of the spirit and taste of the Karoo and its people and stories.
I’m looking forward to completing this one and waiting for the next one.
Anthony Galloway –
I completed my reading of your excellent publication last night, and put it down with a smile and a great sigh of satisfaction. Hearty congratulations on not only the photographs and truly well-written content, but the quality of the publication — quite beautifully produced! You should feel justifiably proud!
The stories of the “mense” were wonderful, especially to someone like me who has at least a passing knowledge of the Karoo. They illustrate the diversity and character of the region in an evocative and powerful manner, and pay fitting tribute to the magic as well as the challenges of the whole, wide area. Your “homework/legwork” and research was of the highest order, and added a great deal of depth and value to the contents — very impressive indeed.
Sylvia van Straaten –
Once again, you have excelled yourselves. You have, as always, captured in your inimitable style, not only the people and stories, but the all-pervading atmosphere of the beloved Karoo. The touches of humour add so much! I loved eg the titbit about Deelfontein and Dealesville post office! Thank you for honouring so many wonderful people for their many contributions. The many varied photos, obviously chosen with such insight, make it even more special.
James Clarke –
I was bowled over by this book. I was expecting a typical journalist’s job. Instead it is a great piece of Africana – it’s not only literature (and I am really serious about that) – it is also historically important because it encapsulates the Karoo and its towns and people as they stand today and as they were yesterday – God alone knows how they might be in 25 to 50 year’s time.