
A vivid blend of fact and imagination brings listeners into the world of a daring Dutch seafarer’s family in the 1600s. The story follows Katrijn, the captain’s daughter, who has known nothing but the rolling decks and salty breezes of the Stavenisse. Raised among sailors, she possesses a practical, fearless spirit that lets her move from ship to shore with surprising ease.
Her father, Willem Knijf, carries a proud lineage of famed mariners, from battles against the Spanish Armada to daring Arctic voyages. When the Stavenisse meets disaster along the treacherous coasts of Labrador, the wreck forces the family onto unfamiliar land. Katrijn’s quick‑witted nature and her deep connection to the sea become the foundation for her new life on the South African frontier.
The opening chapters set the stage for a tale of survival, cultural clash, and the birth of a heroine who bridges two worlds. Listeners will be drawn into the rich historical backdrop while feeling the pulse of Katrijn’s relentless curiosity and courage.
Language
nl
Duration
~4 hours (254K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net/ for Project Gutenberg.
Release date
2018-05-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1856–1918
Best known by the pen name D'Arbez, this Cape Town-born writer helped bridge an important turning point in early Afrikaans literature while writing vivid historical fiction. His novels often reached back into South African history, bringing adventure and drama to earlier centuries.
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