Black Cattle (Sons of Japheth, #1)

Black Cattle is a gripping tale that transports readers to the tumultuous 17th-century world of Dutch colonial expansion and the transatlantic slave trade. Set against the vivid backdrop of the West African coast, the story intertwines the lives of sailors, merchants, and the enslaved with the political intrigue of powerful indigenous kingdoms.
The narrative follows the Dutch slave ship Griffin as it embarks on a perilous voyage through treacherous waters and morally fraught territory. As alliances shift and tensions rise, the characters grapple with survival, ambition, and the devastating realities of the slave trade. The story captures the intricate politics of the African kingdoms and their uneasy entanglements with European traders, shedding light on the complexities of resistance, collaboration, and exploitation.
Rich in maritime detail and historical authenticity, Black Cattle delves into themes of morality, resilience, and the human cost of empire. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Patrick O'Brian or Hilary Mantel, this thought-provoking novel offers an unflinching look at a dark chapter in history, exploring its far-reaching echoes through compelling storytelling.
Black Cattle (original Dutch title: Kroesvee) was published in the Netherlands in 2019 and has since been reprinted three times. The novel is included in the literature list of the official historical Canon of the Netherlands (June 2020). 400 pages.

John Meilink (1961) debuteerde in 2019 met de historische roman Kroesvee, het eerste deel uit een serie van vier los van elkaar staande verhalen over Hollanders en de slavenhandel in de zeventiende eeuw (onder de overkoepelende reeksnaam 'Zonen van Jafeth'). In 2022 verscheen deel twee: In Barbarije. Beide romans zijn inmiddels opgenomen in de literatuurlijst van de nieuwe Canon van Nederland (venster VOC en WIC). In elk van de vier boeken wordt een facet van de slavenhandel onder de loep genomen: In West-Afrika (Kroesvee), in Algiers (In Barbarije), het Caraïbisch gebied (Asiento) en Indonesië (Banda Neira).