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danielle_isreading's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read this as part of a book club knowing it was likely not a novel “for me.” And I was right!
I’m personally much more drawn to plot-driven narratives, but you can’t really deny how fascinating this story is.
I don’t know that I’ve ever read a book with a more chaotic structure. There are no quotation marks anywhere, and the POV switches constantly. If Galgut were a lesser writer, it would have been terrible. But he’s not a lesser writer, and it worked for the story.
I’m glad I got to experience this one. It’s one of the most unique stories I think I’ve ever consumed.
I’m personally much more drawn to plot-driven narratives, but you can’t really deny how fascinating this story is.
I don’t know that I’ve ever read a book with a more chaotic structure. There are no quotation marks anywhere, and the POV switches constantly. If Galgut were a lesser writer, it would have been terrible. But he’s not a lesser writer, and it worked for the story.
I’m glad I got to experience this one. It’s one of the most unique stories I think I’ve ever consumed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide and Death
emmagrace's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Alcoholism, Colonisation, Infidelity, Racism, and Suicide
Minor: Infertility, Cancer, and Eating disorder
absolutive's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping and Murder
Minor: Suicide
deedireads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.75
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
I’m really glad I read The Promise, which brings South Africa from the end of Apartheid to the present day to life on the page, vividly and impressively. Damon Galgut is obviously a masterful writer.
For you if: You are interested in recent South African history, and/or just want a really great literary fiction read.
FULL REVIEW:
I read The Promise for two reasons: first, on my good friend @bernie.lombardi’s recommendation, and second, because it was longlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize (as Bernie expected!). I’m glad I did; this is a good one.
The story takes place in South Africa over about 30 years, from almost the end of Apartheid to pretty much modern day. (Bernie sent some great links for short background reading on South Africa that were really helpful: here, here, and here.) It follows one dwindling white family, focusing on the four times they came together for funerals.
The narration is one of the things that really makes this novel stand out. Reading this book is probably the closest I’ve ever come to reading water. The narration flows and jumps from person to person without pause, sometimes mid-paragraph or even mid-sentence, sometimes landing on nobody at all but rather an omniscient voice. There are no section breaks for stretches of ~90 pages. But it’s not a drag; rather, it has a propulsive momentum. I found myself meaning to get up and turn on the light for like half an hour, having found no good moment to pause.
The novel is full of plenty of layers and metaphors; it’s one of those where the title has several different meanings, which I love. It examines patriotism amidst progress, race and power, and whether we applaud those who do the bare minimum. It brings South Africa at this period of history to life on the page in a visceral, unflinching way.
If you like literary historical fiction and family sagas, this one might be for you!
TL;DR REVIEW:
I’m really glad I read The Promise, which brings South Africa from the end of Apartheid to the present day to life on the page, vividly and impressively. Damon Galgut is obviously a masterful writer.
For you if: You are interested in recent South African history, and/or just want a really great literary fiction read.
FULL REVIEW:
I read The Promise for two reasons: first, on my good friend @bernie.lombardi’s recommendation, and second, because it was longlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize (as Bernie expected!). I’m glad I did; this is a good one.
The story takes place in South Africa over about 30 years, from almost the end of Apartheid to pretty much modern day. (Bernie sent some great links for short background reading on South Africa that were really helpful: here, here, and here.) It follows one dwindling white family, focusing on the four times they came together for funerals.
The narration is one of the things that really makes this novel stand out. Reading this book is probably the closest I’ve ever come to reading water. The narration flows and jumps from person to person without pause, sometimes mid-paragraph or even mid-sentence, sometimes landing on nobody at all but rather an omniscient voice. There are no section breaks for stretches of ~90 pages. But it’s not a drag; rather, it has a propulsive momentum. I found myself meaning to get up and turn on the light for like half an hour, having found no good moment to pause.
The novel is full of plenty of layers and metaphors; it’s one of those where the title has several different meanings, which I love. It examines patriotism amidst progress, race and power, and whether we applaud those who do the bare minimum. It brings South Africa at this period of history to life on the page in a visceral, unflinching way.
If you like literary historical fiction and family sagas, this one might be for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Suicide, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Fatphobia and Racism
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.25
The Promise - At one level this reads as a family drama centred on an Afrikaans farming family, the Swarts. It is told in four sections spanning a forty year period. Each section is focussed on a funeral which brings the rest of the family together and updates the reader with where each character is now. South African history is present but is mostly just referenced, with the action happening off page. At this level it’s a solid novel with some interesting stylistic choices - the focus shifts from character to character, from micro to macro often within a single paragraph which can be a little dizzying at times. However, when you know a little South African history the book can be read in a much more allegorical and metaphorical way and becomes so much more. The broken promise - Rachel’s dying wish is that Salome, the family’s Black maid, be gifted the title to to house she and her family occupy, a wish her husband agrees to but never implements - that haunts the family becomes so much more. It becomes the promise of meaningful resource sharing, land reallocation and compensation in post-apartheid South Africa; the response of individual family members the reaction of different sectors of the white community; the fate of the Swarts family reflective of unmet South African potential at a national level.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
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