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emisallbooked's review against another edition
5.0
Set in a newly Apartheid-free South Africa this book tells the story of 3 women who’s lives will become entwined in surprising ways. Ruth is a wealthy former stripper on the cusp of her 3rd divorce; Delilah is a disgraced nun who’s past is crawling out of the shadows to haunt her; and Zodwa is a pregnant teenager living with her mother in small shack in a squatter’s camp. It’s a story about love, forgiveness, and the resilience of women in a world with the odds stacked against them.
This book will likely end up being one of my favorite reads of the year. I loved the use of the 3 perspectives, I liked that sometimes one flowed right into the other during intensely emotional scenes so as to not break the tension. It is a longer book but it never feels like it drags, her pacing of the events over 2 years felt natural.
Between these 3 women, they face nearly every obstacle, trauma, and barrier possible yet the book managed to maintain an air of hope which is not an easy feat to achieve. She doesn’t shy away from the tough issues either, facing things like racism, homophobia, HIV stigma and abuse in the church straight on. But somehow, each woman finds the strength to get back up and carry on time and time again. I just loved everything about this book, and even though it will make you cry multiple times I’d highly recommend it to everyone.
This book will likely end up being one of my favorite reads of the year. I loved the use of the 3 perspectives, I liked that sometimes one flowed right into the other during intensely emotional scenes so as to not break the tension. It is a longer book but it never feels like it drags, her pacing of the events over 2 years felt natural.
Between these 3 women, they face nearly every obstacle, trauma, and barrier possible yet the book managed to maintain an air of hope which is not an easy feat to achieve. She doesn’t shy away from the tough issues either, facing things like racism, homophobia, HIV stigma and abuse in the church straight on. But somehow, each woman finds the strength to get back up and carry on time and time again. I just loved everything about this book, and even though it will make you cry multiple times I’d highly recommend it to everyone.
booklover1974's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this is a book that will pull on your heartstrings! I can't say I laughed that much but I cried a lot. The author, Bianca Marais, is excellent at describing feelings like love, hope and sorrow.
Three women who are linked together are the main story, although the AIDS epidemic in South Africa is the backdrop. The characters are easy to connect to, I was rooting for them all. The book is beautifully written and I loved it!
The first book by Bianca Marais is "Hum if you don't know the words" and I loved it too. Read it if you haven't. Well done and thank you, Mrs Marais.
Three women who are linked together are the main story, although the AIDS epidemic in South Africa is the backdrop. The characters are easy to connect to, I was rooting for them all. The book is beautifully written and I loved it!
The first book by Bianca Marais is "Hum if you don't know the words" and I loved it too. Read it if you haven't. Well done and thank you, Mrs Marais.
kategci's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Bianca Marais' debut novel Hum if You Don't Know the Words, but I may love this, her second, even more. The story of two older white sisters and a young black woman who form an unbreakable bond in 1990s South Africa kept me up half the night. The story takes place immediately before Nelson Mandela's unprecedented election as President of South Africa and continues from that point. While so much has changed, day to day life for poor black people has not really improved at all and Zodwa, newly orphaned, is trying to get by and get an education. There are so many sub plots and sub themes and Marais brings them together in a plausible way without manipulating your feelings. I was sorry to be done with these characters; I really enjoyed reading about their lives and hopes and dreams. And now I get to meet up with the author tonight at a reading!
lucieloureads's review against another edition
3.0
Set in South Africa at the end of Apartheid, and told from the point of view of two White middle aged estranged sisters and a Black girl from the nearby Township the story is very compassionate of its leads. Brought together when Zodwa's son is taken hours after his birth by her dying mother and left at the sisters porch. Once found the well being of the child discovered to be born with AIDs is the priority. The awful acts men can perform on women shadow the novel and cast its shadow on their lives while portraying two different results of a teenage rape.
I don't know as much as I should about South Africa and the climate around the Apartheid as I was barely alive when the change occured. It was interesting to read a novel set with this back drop that has an impact but is not the sole focus.
I was confused by how rich or poor the sisters were considering the loans that Ruth would take and then somehow pay off quite quickly. I also felt like Zodwa's girlfriends return in the final chapter was rather sudden and slightly unearned.
I don't know as much as I should about South Africa and the climate around the Apartheid as I was barely alive when the change occured. It was interesting to read a novel set with this back drop that has an impact but is not the sole focus.
I was confused by how rich or poor the sisters were considering the loans that Ruth would take and then somehow pay off quite quickly. I also felt like Zodwa's girlfriends return in the final chapter was rather sudden and slightly unearned.
_ndambuki23's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
read_tea_repeat's review against another edition
4.0
This book is set outside of Johannesburg in the 1990’s post-apartheid, about 3 separate women who are brought together as they are each going through difficult times. The book hits many deep topics - racism, HIV/AIDS, religion, homophobia to name a few.
The author really gets you to know and either love/hate each of the three main characters. The story is sad at times, and at other times full of hope.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was chosen as part of a book club and I’m not sure I would have read it otherwise, but really glad I did. I also do love the cover of the book and some of you know I hate when a book doesn’t have a nice cover!
The author really gets you to know and either love/hate each of the three main characters. The story is sad at times, and at other times full of hope.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was chosen as part of a book club and I’m not sure I would have read it otherwise, but really glad I did. I also do love the cover of the book and some of you know I hate when a book doesn’t have a nice cover!
bookofcinz's review against another edition
3.0
No child should have to carry the burden of being their parent’s oxygen.
If You Want To Make God Laugh is Bianca Marais' second novel, that is set in South Africa after the "abolishment" of Apartheid and the recent election of Nelson Mandela. While South Africa is changing as a country so too are the three women we meet. Ruth, is a recovering drug addict who staged a suicide so that her third husband will not go through with the divorce. Delilah, upon receiving a letter drops everything returns to South Africa to see a dying man. Zodwa, is seventeen new to the capital city where she lives with her Mom, who seems to be suffering from a broken-heart and a mysterious illness. These three ladies all come together under the most usual circumstances, and the reader is left to pick a side.
I started out very interested and invested in the lives of these three ladies. I was so engaged I read the first 30% in no time. I think having the chapters short and having the story seen from three POVs helped in the beginning but closer to the end proved a bit difficult. For example, we would hear about something happening in chapter 10 and not hear about it, have it resolved or mentioned again until chapter 40. Also, while this is fiction, a lot of the things and character motivations did not make sense. Added to this also, is that there are a lot of resolved minor plots or characters who did not need to be included. The end tied up entirely too nicely and unrealistic, I mean COME ON!
The writing is good, but after 30% things got to be a bit eye rolling and cheesy.
If You Want To Make God Laugh is Bianca Marais' second novel, that is set in South Africa after the "abolishment" of Apartheid and the recent election of Nelson Mandela. While South Africa is changing as a country so too are the three women we meet. Ruth, is a recovering drug addict who staged a suicide so that her third husband will not go through with the divorce. Delilah, upon receiving a letter drops everything returns to South Africa to see a dying man. Zodwa, is seventeen new to the capital city where she lives with her Mom, who seems to be suffering from a broken-heart and a mysterious illness. These three ladies all come together under the most usual circumstances, and the reader is left to pick a side.
I started out very interested and invested in the lives of these three ladies. I was so engaged I read the first 30% in no time. I think having the chapters short and having the story seen from three POVs helped in the beginning but closer to the end proved a bit difficult. For example, we would hear about something happening in chapter 10 and not hear about it, have it resolved or mentioned again until chapter 40. Also, while this is fiction, a lot of the things and character motivations did not make sense. Added to this also, is that there are a lot of resolved minor plots or characters who did not need to be included. The end tied up entirely too nicely and unrealistic, I mean COME ON!
The writing is good, but after 30% things got to be a bit eye rolling and cheesy.
rochelleweinstein's review against another edition
5.0
Bianca Marais is my new favorite author. Love every single one of her books!