Maureen Campbell – Author of African Dawn
Under the Banyan Tree by Maureen Campbell (Ebook) – Read free for 30 days
Some roots anchor us. Others set us free. From the bustling heart of 1940s Durban to the quiet sugar plantations of the North Coast, Under the Banyan Tree is a sweeping, multi-generational story of love, loss, and belonging — a deeply human portrait of one Indian-South African family living through the tides of colonialism, apartheid, and migration. At its centre is Jemimah, a young woman with the heart of a healer and the courage to dream beyond the boundaries of her world. Raised above her father’s tailor shop in Durban’s Casbah, she yearns to study medicine — a dream forbidden to her by the colour of her skin and the confines of her time. As riots erupt and tragedy strikes, Jemimah’s life is torn apart, forcing her into exile on a distant sugar plantation. There, beneath the sprawling roots of the ancient banyan tree, her story of survival, faith, and forgiveness begins anew. Inspired by true events and rich in historical detail, Under the Banyan Tree captures the vibrancy of Indian culture in South Africa — the scent of spices from the Victoria Street Market, the laughter of family gatherings, and the unspoken strength of women who refused to surrender their dreams. Discover: A powerful historical saga of resilience, and identity. A love story tested by distance, faith, and fate. A tribute to Indian-South African heritage, and the women who shaped it. For readers of The Covenant, The Girl from the Train, or The Book of Longings, this novel will sweep you into a world where courage grows like roots — deep, unseen, but unbreakable. If you love historical fiction inspired by true stories, with unforgettable characters and a richly painted South African setting, Under the Banyan Tree belongs on your shelf.
Inspired by Africa – Get It Ballito & Umhlanga
Salt Rock writer Maureen Campbell has released her debut novel African Dawn.
African Dawn by Maureen Campbell – Reviewed by Pixie Emslie
Review: A fast-moving tale of intrigue, love, tragedy and drama set mainly in the African bush and spanning three generations and their families.
Brettenwood author creates African magic | North Coast Courier
The full 328-page manuscript was shopped around to a few print houses before being snapped up by Harvard Ink, who published it in September.
African Dawn – Harvard Ink
Ivy’s flair for showmanship has carried her all over Europe in a whirlwind life. Then tragedy hits! Nothing could have prepared her for the passing of her
Under the Banyan Tree by Maureen Campbell | Foyles
Buy Under the Banyan Tree by Maureen Campbell from Foyles today! Click and Collect from your local Foyles.
Maureen Campbell | Reedsy Discovery
Retired amidst the wild, natural beauty of Salt Rock, KwaZulu-Natal, next to the warm Indian Ocean, Maureen Campbell is an avid reader, budding writer and lauded poet. In between reading widely, she enjoys the challenge of writing her own short stories and is venturing into…
Under the Banyan Tree by Maureen Campbell | Waterstones
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Maureen Campbell
About the author
Retired amidst the wild, natural beauty of Salt Rock, KwaZulu-Natal, next to the warm Indian Ocean, Maureen Campbell is an avid reader, established writer and lauded poet. She has studied Art Theory and creative writing. She belongs to a local writing circle and keeps her writing skills sharp mainly through short stories and poems. In 2015, she received the Hilde Slinger poetry award. In 2023, she debuted with her African historical romance, African Dawn. In between reading widely, she enjoys the challenge of writing her own short stories, poetry, and iconic historical romance novels.
Retired amidst the wild, natural beauty of Salt Rock, KwaZulu-Natal, next to the warm Indian Ocean, Maureen Campbell is an avid reader, established writer and lauded poet. She has studied Art Theory and creative writing. She belongs to a local writing circle and keeps her writing skills sharp mainly through short stories and poems. In 2015, she received the Hilde Slinger poetry award. In 2023, she debuted with her African historical romance, African Dawn. In between reading widely, she enjoys the challenge of writing her own short stories, poetry, and iconic historical romance novels.
