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missyjohnson's review against another edition
3.0
Book club choice for Booker Prize (2021). The Swart family own a farm in South Africa. The story begins as apartheid is ending. Rachel, the mom of Anton, Astrid and Amor and wife to Manie has died. Before Rachel dies, she has Manie promise to give a house on the property to Salome, the housekeeper and nanny of all three children lives in. Manie makes the promise that Amor hears. At this time, blacks cannot own property. The story extends over the next 30 years the the promise is not fulfilled for one reason or another. This is distressing to Amor. Each family member has his or her own issues and the family is dysfunctional. The author did not use quotation marks for any dialogue and in some cases it is a bit confusing. The “narrator” is not named and could be any of the characters in the book or none. There is some stream of consciousness that sometimes adds to the confusion. So glad that we did this for book club as this one deserves discussion.
ibtisam_n's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.75
alexandra165's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
silverbirch's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Searing, clear and honest. A masterful use of perspective shifts and experimenting with first-second-third person shifting. Often heavy, and at points difficult to follow, but nevertheless produces a hugely affecting interwoven narrative of family, as one entity simultaneously as many contradictions.
mattematician's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
cvacz's review against another edition
dark
funny
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
5.0
kerrence30's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.75
Extremely well written and strangely enjoyable despite the main theme of death.
I particularly enjoyed the style of using the deaths of each character as a way of developing the plot. The character study of each member of the family is so well done, that despite some of them being particularly awful, the reader still finds them fascinating.
The description of the political situation in South Africa over time is necessary, particularly as someone from Britain born after Apartheid. The voices and opinions of the various characters from different backgrounds, owning differing political views, change over time and reflect the changing general opinions of those living in the country.
Thoroughly enjoyed, and shows how there is no main character in life, we are all just play a part.
I particularly enjoyed the style of using the deaths of each character as a way of developing the plot. The character study of each member of the family is so well done, that despite some of them being particularly awful, the reader still finds them fascinating.
The description of the political situation in South Africa over time is necessary, particularly as someone from Britain born after Apartheid. The voices and opinions of the various characters from different backgrounds, owning differing political views, change over time and reflect the changing general opinions of those living in the country.
Thoroughly enjoyed, and shows how there is no main character in life, we are all just play a part.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Racism
Moderate: Infertility, Gun violence, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Infidelity
Minor: Eating disorder
carolinew's review against another edition
reflective
medium-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
3.5
racheldaisy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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
4.5