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rkkmistry's review against another edition
4.0
ok this book was very cool. So it's like a speculative fiction account of a world where South African apartheid is ended by a violent black uprising. which is very cool because I think it was written a bit before apartheid ended and I don't think I know of much speculative fiction that deals with imaginings of such real and contemporary political issues—but where it really gets you is what it's actually about. The book just chronicles a liberal white family whose black servant brings them back to his village to help them hide out. Like it's ultimately pretty mundane plot wise,, there's no dramatic escape, nor do we hear much about the revolution itself. The result is this very very nuanced portrait of racial issues that I feel like really just speaks to how complicated they are without like being super apologist.
niknakpattywhack's review against another edition
2.0
While the political aspect and overall concept of this novel is nothing short of spectacular, Gordimer's writing becomes so thick that I felt like I was trudging through mud trying to get through this novel DESPITE the fact that it's in the present tense! The changes in the perspective and really well done though and there are some great lines in July's People. I think it just has to be your kind of writing for it to be the truly enjoyable experience I was looking for.
ebokhyllami's review against another edition
3.0
Ganske omstendelig skrevet historie. Jeg ser og forstår hvor forfatteren vil og skal, men er noe usikker på om jeg egentlig likte boka?
swillsy's review against another edition
2.0
Can’t say I didn’t like it, but I also can’t say that I did, and I only give three stars if I liked the book. I really did not enjoy the writing style, but I did enjoy the tone of the book. I also did begin to dislike the main white characters for their white privilege, which I think was the point. Not a book I would recommend or reread again but it did inspire me to find books of a similar topic to read in the future.
terese_utan_h's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
This book was interesting in its storyline - a wealthy white family is saved from a war by their African servant and he takes them to his village. The imagery and rhythm the author gives us to the village that they are taken to and live in is amazing.
But, I felt thrown into the story without some beginning information. the first 40 pages or so of the book I was still adjusting to the writing style and I'm sure I missed important stuff. The sentences are choppy and sometimes, in conversation, i had to reread areas to establish who was saying what since there was little punctuation and odd spacing.
I'm glad I read the book for the interesting story, I don't know that I would recommend it to anyone else....
But, I felt thrown into the story without some beginning information. the first 40 pages or so of the book I was still adjusting to the writing style and I'm sure I missed important stuff. The sentences are choppy and sometimes, in conversation, i had to reread areas to establish who was saying what since there was little punctuation and odd spacing.
I'm glad I read the book for the interesting story, I don't know that I would recommend it to anyone else....
andreiton_6's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.5