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Rogue of Rouxville
It is 1877.
Jakob Klein, a liberal-minded Jewish pioneer from Bavaria, has been living in the small town of Rouxville in the Orange Free State in southern Africa for well over a decade.
He will try anything to support his wife and growing family. His questionable business ethics often cause him to sail close to the wind. This time, he has sailed far too close, and his life has capsized. His dubious dealings, and a huge debt, have lost him his home and livelihood. His young family have had to leave him to seek refuge with relatives in the Cape Colony.
Now, he is in jail, awaiting transfer to Bloemfontein where the serious case against him is to be heard by the highest court in the land. With only his guards for company, he has plenty of time to wonder what sort of future fate holds for him and whether he will ever see his family again.
ROGUE OF ROUXVILLE is an exciting tale of debt and deception based loosely on the life of a real person, and set mostly in the wilds of what was later to become the Union of South Africa.
Jakob Klein, a liberal-minded Jewish pioneer from Bavaria, has been living in the small town of Rouxville in the Orange Free State in southern Africa for well over a decade.
He will try anything to support his wife and growing family. His questionable business ethics often cause him to sail close to the wind. This time, he has sailed far too close, and his life has capsized. His dubious dealings, and a huge debt, have lost him his home and livelihood. His young family have had to leave him to seek refuge with relatives in the Cape Colony.
Now, he is in jail, awaiting transfer to Bloemfontein where the serious case against him is to be heard by the highest court in the land. With only his guards for company, he has plenty of time to wonder what sort of future fate holds for him and whether he will ever see his family again.
ROGUE OF ROUXVILLE is an exciting tale of debt and deception based loosely on the life of a real person, and set mostly in the wilds of what was later to become the Union of South Africa.
344 pages, Paperback
First published September 7, 2012
5 people want to read
About the author
Adam Yamey
31 books98 followersAUTHOR/ retired DENTIST
Adam Yamey
Adam Yamey is a retired dentist and active author.
He has published several books, including: "Albania on my Mind"; "Scrabble with Slivovitz;" (Once upon a time in Yugoslavia); "From Albania to Sicily"; "Exodus to Africa"; "Rediscovering Albania"; "Aliwal"; "Bangalore Revealed"; "Indian Freedom Fighters in London (1905-1910)"; "Imprisoned in India"; "Beneath a Wide Sky: Hampstead and its Environs"; "Beyond Marylebone and Mayfair: Exploring West London", and "Golders Green & Hampstead Garden Suburb: Visions of Arcadia", and "Coracles and Crocodiles: 101 Tales of India".
In early 2023, he published a book about a famous Victorian photographer: "BETWEEN TWO ISLANDS: JULIA MARGARET CAMERON AND HER CIRCLE"
HIS LATEST enlightening book is an account of his 4000 mile journey through India undertaken in late 2024 and early 2025:
"88 DAYS IN INDIA: A JOURNEY OF MEMORY AND DISCOVERY"
Born in 1952 in London, he attended Highgate School, and then University College London. After a doctorate in mammalian physiology, he became an undergraduate once more and qualified as a dental surgeon. After 35 years in general dental practice, he retired in September 2017.
Adam married a lady from India, in 1994, and, since then, has been visiting her native land frequently. India has become his second home.
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A tree in Cubbon Park, Bangalore (a city that I visit regularly)
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 18, 2012
Reading Adam Yamey’s novel is reminiscent of reading some of the great classic literature of our time. His writing style is timeless, very descriptive and his characters exude deepness, which is not readily accessible. Indeed, his main character Jakob Klein is built up in layers so that you get to know him slowly and are continually left wanting to know more about him. A very clever writing technique.
I rarely have rarely read such evocative descriptions. For instance, he describes two workmen thus; ‘As they moved the tool back and forth rhythmically, the beads of perspiration on their dark skins glistened in a beam of light that was shining through the dusty air from a glass window high above them.’ I don’t know about you, but I’m standing in that shed with them.
Adam’s use of dialogue is superlative, and the South African accent is captured brilliantly. As are snippets of American and, even Irish.
The plot could be described as lacking pace, but to do so would be a mistake. It ambles along comfortably and I enjoyed every moment of it. It is not an easy book to put down.
The story encapsulates a snapshot of southern Africa in the mid 1800s as effectively as a time capsule.
Jacob Klein is a complex character with many flaws, and there are numerous sides to him. He clearly has ideas above his station and is not content to scratch around in poverty, in what is an incredibly hard and cruel place for anyone without means. He relies upon a natural charm and copious amounts of guile to hoist him above his station. But several factors within his complex personality conspire to impede him. He has a drink problem, his business ethics are highly questionable and he does not cover his tracks well enough. As a consequence, rather than ascend to a higher plane, he sinks to the bottom of the world he inhabits like a stone. One’s natural reaction would be to shrug and dismiss his situation as being brought on by himself. But the way Adam Yamey has cleverly forged his character, leads to the reader really caring about him. He slowly climbs from the quagmire he is in, and the reader is cheering him on every inch of the way.
A dramatic tale well told. As with all well-written historic novels, it provides a welcome escape from the frenetic, fast moving world in which we live.
I rarely have rarely read such evocative descriptions. For instance, he describes two workmen thus; ‘As they moved the tool back and forth rhythmically, the beads of perspiration on their dark skins glistened in a beam of light that was shining through the dusty air from a glass window high above them.’ I don’t know about you, but I’m standing in that shed with them.
Adam’s use of dialogue is superlative, and the South African accent is captured brilliantly. As are snippets of American and, even Irish.
The plot could be described as lacking pace, but to do so would be a mistake. It ambles along comfortably and I enjoyed every moment of it. It is not an easy book to put down.
The story encapsulates a snapshot of southern Africa in the mid 1800s as effectively as a time capsule.
Jacob Klein is a complex character with many flaws, and there are numerous sides to him. He clearly has ideas above his station and is not content to scratch around in poverty, in what is an incredibly hard and cruel place for anyone without means. He relies upon a natural charm and copious amounts of guile to hoist him above his station. But several factors within his complex personality conspire to impede him. He has a drink problem, his business ethics are highly questionable and he does not cover his tracks well enough. As a consequence, rather than ascend to a higher plane, he sinks to the bottom of the world he inhabits like a stone. One’s natural reaction would be to shrug and dismiss his situation as being brought on by himself. But the way Adam Yamey has cleverly forged his character, leads to the reader really caring about him. He slowly climbs from the quagmire he is in, and the reader is cheering him on every inch of the way.
A dramatic tale well told. As with all well-written historic novels, it provides a welcome escape from the frenetic, fast moving world in which we live.
September 22, 2012
This is a revised version of a book that originally appeared under the title of Debt and Deception. I thought that from the character perspective this was a marked improvement over Adam Yamey's first book, Aliwal. Jakob Klein is much more complex than Henry Bergmann. Jakob's ethics would be an interesting discussion topic. Jakob's dedication to his family also makes him a sympathetic character that I cared about.
I also found this book more suspenseful than Aliwal. Jakob's actions caused me to worry about what would happen to him over the entire book.
The revised ending for this edition was written in response to criticism from readers that the ending in the first edtion was abrupt. It showed us a bit of what became of Jakob and his family rather than the bare summary in the first edition. So I would call this the preferred version.
I also found this book more suspenseful than Aliwal. Jakob's actions caused me to worry about what would happen to him over the entire book.
The revised ending for this edition was written in response to criticism from readers that the ending in the first edtion was abrupt. It showed us a bit of what became of Jakob and his family rather than the bare summary in the first edition. So I would call this the preferred version.
April 14, 2013
I loved Rogue of Rouxville by Adam Yamey, and could not put it down. Set in South Africa during the mid to late 18th century, Yamey completely immerses the reader in the everyday life and hardships in the small towns. We are given a glimpse into Jacob Klein's migration to America. Adam has a great economy of words, but at the same time, he describes every little detail during Klein's treks across the karroo, his family life as well as all the townsfolk. All the rogue characters are so well drawn out that the reader connects with the witty characters, and the reader is left smiling awaiting the next adventure.
I would recommend this book highly, especially to my book club. On to Albania on my Mind by Adam Yamey!
I would recommend this book highly, especially to my book club. On to Albania on my Mind by Adam Yamey!
October 7, 2012
Well, I have really enjoyed in this book.
At first, it was a bit slower than I have expected, but soon it gets some speed.
Story was very interesting and remind me on some of the world classic books I have read.
Jackob, the main character was very, how can I say an intriguing fellow.
His struggle for the benefits of his family was very touchfull and bite my heart.
I gave it only four stars because I do not want to spoil the writer. :-)
Keep on going with good writing!
At first, it was a bit slower than I have expected, but soon it gets some speed.
Story was very interesting and remind me on some of the world classic books I have read.
Jackob, the main character was very, how can I say an intriguing fellow.
His struggle for the benefits of his family was very touchfull and bite my heart.
I gave it only four stars because I do not want to spoil the writer. :-)
Keep on going with good writing!
September 17, 2012
I am giving ROGUE OF ROUXVILLE 5 stars. I am the author of this historical novel set in southern Africa during the 1870s .
I believe that you should read my book because it gives interesting insights into the lives and problems of people living in southern Africa during the mid to late 19th century (the 1870s).
The questionable business practices of Jakob Klein, the hero of the book, resonate with today's sad decline in business ethics, as exemplified in recent shenanigans in the world of British business.
However, the best reason for reading my book is that I hope that I have written an exciting story containing a panoply of picaresque characters.
NOW AVAILABLE ON KINDLE: http://www.amazon.co.uk/ROGUE-OF-ROUX...
I believe that you should read my book because it gives interesting insights into the lives and problems of people living in southern Africa during the mid to late 19th century (the 1870s).
The questionable business practices of Jakob Klein, the hero of the book, resonate with today's sad decline in business ethics, as exemplified in recent shenanigans in the world of British business.
However, the best reason for reading my book is that I hope that I have written an exciting story containing a panoply of picaresque characters.
NOW AVAILABLE ON KINDLE: http://www.amazon.co.uk/ROGUE-OF-ROUX...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews