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tsundoku281's review against another edition
5.0
Melancholy ending but such real and flawed characters ... Lyndall with her fiery ambition but perpetual depression, Em feeling constantly second best in her complacency & Waldo tormented by spiritual doubt & existential angst only to realise that it was acceptable to be content in his fields with his oxen :) so heart-warming and thought -provoking!
annajo2001's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
nicolemousicos_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
claudim's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Read for thesis purposes. This book did not age particularly gracefully. Historically it remains an important piece of South African literature as it was one of the first fictional novels about South Africa from South Africa. It’s historical importance however was not enough to sway me into liking it. It’s a 19th century EdgeLord takedown of religion and tradition but peppered occasionally with beautiful snippets of aesthetic and moral philosophy, gender politics and romantic love that keeps you engaged. The narrative seems to be more interested in feminist ideas and could be classified as first wave feminist literature. Moreover it does some interesting things with gender roles and sexuality. All in all, definitely interesting but not particularly likable.
arwenauthor's review against another edition
2.0
Conflicted
It’s a classic and one I’m glad to have read, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting (having said that, what was I expecting? I went in practical blind!). Mixture of thoughts - more to come!
It’s a classic and one I’m glad to have read, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting (having said that, what was I expecting? I went in practical blind!). Mixture of thoughts - more to come!
allieriv's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
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
aslanjade's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aimeemac's review against another edition
3.0
Very unsure as to whether to give this 3 or 4 stars but eventually settled on 3. It was extremely interesting. The first section read like a typical novel of its time, if such a thing exists. The plot was linear and the characters seemed very archetypal - there was a villain, an evil aunt, a rebellious child etc. However, the second half was when I truly began to enjoy it! it felt like a dream sequence and deviated entirely from what I expected.