The story centers around the early parts of South Africa's history in the Eastern Cape.
The plot revolves around a family, the Farboroughs, who lived in the Eastern Cape of South Africa in the early 1900s.
The main protagonist is Walter Brownley who lived in the early parts of South Africa's war against Britain.
Several racial issues are tackled in the book in regard to black African exploitation as seen on the mines of the Highveld.
Sonwabo The entire story takes place in South Africa.