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alijc's review against another edition
2.0
The first third focused on the childhoods of the three main characters. I think that it was supposed to be funny. But this humor consisted mostly of showing how adults are cruel, gullible and hypocritical. Repeated ad nauseum.
The middle third was an essay on childhood, and the changes that occur as a child grows up. Specifically, how they embrace religion when their minds are not yet fully formed and rejected when they are old enough to think logically. A bit dated, but interesting.
The final third follows the children after they've grown to adulthood. Drama, betrayal, and gobs of hormones flying loose. A bit of odd cross-dressing, and a long proto-feminist screed. Which rubbed me wrong. Mostly because it strikes me that anyone who championed equal rights for women should have extended that hope to people with dark complexions. And in this book such people are portrayed as mentally inferior and subhuman - hardly better than part of landscape. The others assured me that Schreiner wasn't racist. I'll have to accept that she tucked those bits into the book only because she didn't want to upset the Victorian apple cart more than she was already doing.
The middle third was an essay on childhood, and the changes that occur as a child grows up. Specifically, how they embrace religion when their minds are not yet fully formed and rejected when they are old enough to think logically. A bit dated, but interesting.
The final third follows the children after they've grown to adulthood. Drama, betrayal, and gobs of hormones flying loose. A bit of odd cross-dressing, and a long proto-feminist screed. Which rubbed me wrong. Mostly because it strikes me that anyone who championed equal rights for women should have extended that hope to people with dark complexions. And in this book such people are portrayed as mentally inferior and subhuman - hardly better than part of landscape. The others assured me that Schreiner wasn't racist. I'll have to accept that she tucked those bits into the book only because she didn't want to upset the Victorian apple cart more than she was already doing.
bookdragon_1978's review against another edition
4.0
I have never had the opportunity to read this book before, however, after visiting Olive Schreiner House in Cradock on a recent trip I came out armed with a number of SA reads from the little bookshop, The Story Of An African Farm amongst them.
What a magnificent read for the time that the book was written in. So many topics are dealt with and questioned. What was truly remarkable was how the author pulled her thoughts and beliefs through the book showing a feminist mind at a time where woman were not meant to push these boundaries or have such opinions. This book dealt with spirituality, death, sorrow, and many others besides.
The racial language was a bit shocking at first but one needs to put this aside and consider the time that the book was written in.
The ending affected me more than I thought it would. My thoughts still dwell on it.
All in all, a worthwhile read.
What a magnificent read for the time that the book was written in. So many topics are dealt with and questioned. What was truly remarkable was how the author pulled her thoughts and beliefs through the book showing a feminist mind at a time where woman were not meant to push these boundaries or have such opinions. This book dealt with spirituality, death, sorrow, and many others besides.
The racial language was a bit shocking at first but one needs to put this aside and consider the time that the book was written in.
The ending affected me more than I thought it would. My thoughts still dwell on it.
All in all, a worthwhile read.
alicemaher's review against another edition
5.0
Such an exquisite novel, I didn’t want to put it down. The philosophical wonderings and beautiful descriptions leave you completely immersed in the story. I had to read this for my university module but it’s now up there as one of my favourite novels of all time.
stephh's review against another edition
4.0
As this is a first wave feminist novel, there is no intersectional feminism in it, despite it being set in South Africa. The book concerns a white family who transcend some gender roles that are expected of them. THe main character that does this is Lyndall, a girl who doesn't belive in marriage or in women being confined to the home. She attends a boarding school, but comes home disheartened at the limited and domestic subjects they force the girls to take part in. Ultimately, Lyndall makes the decision to cohabit with a man who she does not wish to marry: she wants them both to remain free to pursue other relationships in the future if they become unhappy.
paulina_papaya's review against another edition
3.0
interesting themes, but a tough read and gererally boring. made me think of core-reads you have to do in school
sereves's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
lydiagardiner's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
rubygranger's review against another edition
5.0
If you have not read this, please do. It is a beautifully melancholic and inspiring read, exploring the The New Man as well as The New Woman as well as providing thought-provoking discussions on philosophy religion which can afterwards be reflected upon.
lawrenceevalyn's review against another edition
5.0
The structure is interesting and unexpected, but really what I love is the beautiful prose and the metaphysics.