Reviews

The Promise by Damon Galgut

reidfrancis's review against another edition

reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

moyecome's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sarah_guido's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sidharthvardhan's review against another edition

5.0

It is divided in four parts - each concerning last rites of one of members of a white family in South Africa. Each time the question of a promise is raised - the promise to give the family house to the black maid. The promise stands symbolic of hypocrisy of white people in land as well as their decline. In last part, where Amor makes a final effort to fulfill the promise, a very symbolic scene occurs.

However it's not all just a family Saga with some historic symbolism. The South African History takes place in background and directly affect lives of characters. South Africa comes out of apartheid and the successors of colonizers are forced to look at their conscience.

The best thing about this novel though is narration. I'm not a fan of 'show, don't tell' adage and instead prefer more active, even chatty narrators. The omnipotent narrator of Promise is one such narrator - he is often commenting or joking about characters, talking to readers as well as characters, passing gossip like info before adding 'no need to go there' or 'no offense intended'. It adds a colorful element to the story. Another good thing about narration is its speediness. It jumps easily from one scene to another without wasting time on meaningless setup. It is not the first time I have seen these things in novels but I certainly wish it was done more often.

gslangdon's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An amazing tapestry weaved through the modern history of South Africa and the trauma that life there can inflict on us. A truly moving read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide and Death

Minor: Racism

thulsiprabakaran's review against another edition

mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

megadan777's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

2.5

zagecko's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

og_rincewind's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

jimincarnate's review against another edition

dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0