Scan barcode
tbsims's review against another edition
2.0
Learning more about South Africa and their history was interesting. The written dialog seemed stilted - we can attribute it to being translated. And I had too much disbelief in the events- did the mother have no idea who, in a whole town, might be the father?
mgbell0712's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
marlo_c's review against another edition
4.0
I've read few books set in South Africa, so I loved being transported to such a different place and history. The historical aspect was fascinating, and Persomi was a likeable character. Her mother drove me crazy -- but maybe it was the dialogue in translation that exacerbated that dislike? And Boelie.... I struggled with her love for him as he was obviously racist. Yet, that is one of the things that made the book good. The characters were obviously flawed and believable. And the friendship between Persomi and Reinier was enjoyable. Overall, interesting and thought-provoking read.
patlibrary89's review against another edition
4.0
Bookclub book for July/August 2021 bc Christy cannot have bookclub due to her illness (lymphoma) and in chemo. And she would’ve had August bookclub so Becky’s combining her July bookclub with august.
Love the era and simplicity
Love the era and simplicity
lmbartelt's review against another edition
4.0
Author Irma Joubert got my attention with her debut English-translated novel The Girl From the Train. (Not to be confused with that more famous book/movie Girl ON the Train.) Joubert's books spotlight South Africa's role in world events, like World War II.
This book, Child of the River, encompasses some World War II history but focuses more on events leading up to apartheid. It is the story of one girl, Persomi, who grows up poor and white on a wealthy farm where her family are sharecroppers. Her brother fights in World War II and her friendship with the neighbor boy, Boelie, is tested when he joins an underground nationalist movement.
When Persomi is given opportunities to further her education, her world expands and she becomes a vocal proponent of justice among her friends and neighbors. She is on a lifelong search for her real father, and she is tragically in love with someone close to her.
Joubert's writing and storytelling are beautiful and captivating. I knew little about the beginnings of apartheid and felt like I learned a little bit about that era of South African history through the eyes of Persomi. Joubert says her stories are based on true situations, which I love even more.
My only complaint is that the ending felt abrupt after so much buildup. And I won't spoil that here. It's a lovely piece of fiction, and an important work that reminds us of how devastating segregation laws are to communities.
While I did receive a free copy of the book from BookLook Bloggers, my review reflects my honest opinion.
This book, Child of the River, encompasses some World War II history but focuses more on events leading up to apartheid. It is the story of one girl, Persomi, who grows up poor and white on a wealthy farm where her family are sharecroppers. Her brother fights in World War II and her friendship with the neighbor boy, Boelie, is tested when he joins an underground nationalist movement.
When Persomi is given opportunities to further her education, her world expands and she becomes a vocal proponent of justice among her friends and neighbors. She is on a lifelong search for her real father, and she is tragically in love with someone close to her.
Joubert's writing and storytelling are beautiful and captivating. I knew little about the beginnings of apartheid and felt like I learned a little bit about that era of South African history through the eyes of Persomi. Joubert says her stories are based on true situations, which I love even more.
My only complaint is that the ending felt abrupt after so much buildup. And I won't spoil that here. It's a lovely piece of fiction, and an important work that reminds us of how devastating segregation laws are to communities.
While I did receive a free copy of the book from BookLook Bloggers, my review reflects my honest opinion.
katyowens2002's review against another edition
5.0
This book left me twisting at every turn and i loved it.
remyk10's review against another edition
4.0
I have read the other 2 English-translated novels by Irma Joubert, and enjoyed all of them. It surprised me reading this novel that it contains the same characters as The Crooked Path. This novel is well-written, and allows the reader to imagine much of Persomi's feelings. It was easy to read, and like all of Joubert's novel it spans over very long-time periods. I hope to see more of the author's novels translated to English.
malaikatheresa's review
5.0
Die junge Pérsomi wächst in den ärmsten Umständen auf, zusammen mit ihrer Familie hat sie oft nicht genug zu essen und auch die Familienverhältnisse sind gar nicht einfach. Als sie herausfindet, dass ihr verhasster Vater gar nicht ihr echter Vater ist, kann sie ihr Glück kaum fassen. Doch ihre Mutter hat geschworen, nie zu verraten, wer ihr richtiger Vater ist.
Kurz darauf sagt sie gegen den Mann ihrer Mutter im Gericht aus und entdeckt dabei ihre Liebe für die Wahrheit. Sie beschließt, für ihre Bildung und ein besseres Leben zu kämpfen, sodass sie nicht in einem winzigen Beiwohnerhaus bei einer anderen Farm leben muß.
Die Geschichte hat mich als Südafrikanerin sehr berührt. Man bekommt die damalige Zeit sehr gut mit und hat das Gefühl, dass man mitten in den Ereignissen steht. Pérsomi ist eine wunderbar ausgearbeitete Protagonistin, deren Entwicklung von Kind zur Frau im Buch sehr schön dargestellt wird. Auch bekommt man den Anfang der furchtbaren Apartheidsgeschichte in Südafrika hautnah mit.
Aus einem mittellosen, durch Angst aber auch durch Durchsetzungsvermögen geprägtem Mädchen wird eine selbstbewusste Rechtsanwältin - und das in einer Zeit, wo dieser Beruf für Frau ungewöhnlich ist.
Das Buch ist ein ziemlicher Brocken, aber durch den flüssigen Schreibstil und die spannende Geschichte fliegt man nur so durch die Seiten.
Es ist in sehr inspirierendes Buch, welches ich jedem, der in die südafrikanische Geschichte abtauchen möchte, weiterempfehle.
Kurz darauf sagt sie gegen den Mann ihrer Mutter im Gericht aus und entdeckt dabei ihre Liebe für die Wahrheit. Sie beschließt, für ihre Bildung und ein besseres Leben zu kämpfen, sodass sie nicht in einem winzigen Beiwohnerhaus bei einer anderen Farm leben muß.
Die Geschichte hat mich als Südafrikanerin sehr berührt. Man bekommt die damalige Zeit sehr gut mit und hat das Gefühl, dass man mitten in den Ereignissen steht. Pérsomi ist eine wunderbar ausgearbeitete Protagonistin, deren Entwicklung von Kind zur Frau im Buch sehr schön dargestellt wird. Auch bekommt man den Anfang der furchtbaren Apartheidsgeschichte in Südafrika hautnah mit.
Aus einem mittellosen, durch Angst aber auch durch Durchsetzungsvermögen geprägtem Mädchen wird eine selbstbewusste Rechtsanwältin - und das in einer Zeit, wo dieser Beruf für Frau ungewöhnlich ist.
Das Buch ist ein ziemlicher Brocken, aber durch den flüssigen Schreibstil und die spannende Geschichte fliegt man nur so durch die Seiten.
Es ist in sehr inspirierendes Buch, welches ich jedem, der in die südafrikanische Geschichte abtauchen möchte, weiterempfehle.
frostatmidnite's review against another edition
5.0
Child of the River spans three decades; divided into three parts, it covers the World War II, the Apartheid, the Group Areas Act and forced removals among others. But that is not what this book is about. Child of the River is the story of Pérsomi.
Her relationship with her family, her brother, her trials and her perseverance - all of this is what the initial chapters are about. She helps to put her father behind bars for abusing one of her sisters. The social workers involved in the case, also help Pérsomi continue her studies.
School and college open a new world to Pérsomi. She makes new friends and looks at her life with new insight. The changes in Pérsomi’s life – her brother enlisting to fight the war, his death, the first stirrings of love, war, and racism… all of this change her. The lessons learnt in life on one side, the story also has Pérsomi striving to make sure that everyone has access to justice.
Pérsomi’s love life is a moving tale. Boelie and Pérsomi’s relationship is something that’s as simple, yet complex like the book. The heartbreak and emptiness that Pérsomi feels come through in how Irma Joubert writes about it.
Child of the River is a book that cannot be restricted to a few words describing it. A page turner, Child of the River, shows you that there is always a dark side to the human being. Yet, there is always hope, love, perseverance and forgiveness that shine brightly even in the darkest of days.
A complimentary copy of Child of the River was provided by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for a review.
For the full review, visit Frost At Midnite
Her relationship with her family, her brother, her trials and her perseverance - all of this is what the initial chapters are about. She helps to put her father behind bars for abusing one of her sisters. The social workers involved in the case, also help Pérsomi continue her studies.
School and college open a new world to Pérsomi. She makes new friends and looks at her life with new insight. The changes in Pérsomi’s life – her brother enlisting to fight the war, his death, the first stirrings of love, war, and racism… all of this change her. The lessons learnt in life on one side, the story also has Pérsomi striving to make sure that everyone has access to justice.
Pérsomi’s love life is a moving tale. Boelie and Pérsomi’s relationship is something that’s as simple, yet complex like the book. The heartbreak and emptiness that Pérsomi feels come through in how Irma Joubert writes about it.
Child of the River is a book that cannot be restricted to a few words describing it. A page turner, Child of the River, shows you that there is always a dark side to the human being. Yet, there is always hope, love, perseverance and forgiveness that shine brightly even in the darkest of days.
A complimentary copy of Child of the River was provided by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for a review.
For the full review, visit Frost At Midnite
audyobooks's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Racism, Incest, and War