Giselher W. Hoffmann has lived for an extended period as a professional hunter in the Kalahari, in close contact with the Gwi, the Bushmen of Namibia. In this novel, he provides insight into the culture of this endangered people. The story revolves around the old Ecksteen, who runs a general store in a town in Namibia. One day, he sells his possessions and moves with his family to a rundown farm in the Kalahari to realize his long-held dream of discovering a massive diamond. However, the new settlers soon have a fateful encounter with a group of Gwi, and the time for dreaming comes to an end for Ecksteen as well.