Publisher's Synopsis
A World War 1 rifle, calling itself The Rifle, relates its life-story, and that of its human owner, and his descendants. The horror of trench-warfare and the killing of humans is described unemotionally, and graphically by the rifle. The rifle itself, is untouched by the deep powerful emotions that it senses in the human who uses the rifle to kill other humans. The story-telling rifle later hunts game in Africa, with its war-veteran owner. The description of game tracking, and following spoor in the bush is fascinating. They hunt big antelope, lion, and rock-rabbits called dassies. Once when on a safari the rifle owner meets a bushman, and the two humans become life-time mutually respecting friends. Finally, by extreme perhaps predestined serendipity, the 2-men's baby great-grandchildren meet at a Christmas dinner in front of the aging rusting rifle resting on a mantel piece above a pioneer farmhouse fireplace. The rifle describes that happy scene. The book explores the meaning of death, to discover a meaning for life. The first owner develops PTSD, which he conceals. Tragic consequences affect his descendants. The book is educational, and a poignant commentator on the nature of humanity. The complex story is very entertaining.
