Description
Those who knew Bertha called her an ‘unconventional warrior’ whose singular motivation was that all creatures are born free spirits and must remain so. Based on oral and written accounts, Bertha’s mysterious life is told through a collection of fictionalized episodes and images. Criss-crossing Africa, she hatches plans to free the animals she encounters—chickens, owls, ostriches, chimpanzees, donkeys, elephants and many others—forming profound friendships with the people she meets along the way like the Tanzanian children Bakari and Amida, her Nigerian rescuer Ifeoluwa, and traveling salesman Alphonse. But there is danger in almost every situation and Bertha must reckon with a bizarre array of characters. There are hunters and animal traders in Kenya, a gangster Jerome (aka Spares) in South Africa, the menacing circus performer Mathieu in the DRC, and even ghouls blown in from the Kalahari desert. Hilarious and tragic, this is the story of her uncompromising belief in animal liberty. No matter the cost.
“wonderfully intriguing, humorous and poignant…and the dialogue positively sings” —Andrew Salomon, winner of the PEN Literary Award
