Reviews

Hum If You Don't Know the Words by Bianca Marais

pujadev's review against another edition

4.0

The story is set in South Africa and great perspective on Apartheid, the writing is beautiful, visceral, and hard hitting. These are books that are essential for us to expand our understanding of the world. This is an almost 5-star read, it could have been a little bit shorter and the protagonist is about 10 years old, I don't entirely believe some of the things she did in the end even though it all worked out. Nevertheless, it is a book completely worth reading.

shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition

This is a beautifully told story taking place in South Africa during the mid-1970s. Ten year old Robin, who is white, suddenly loses the three most important people in her life. She is taken in by her mother's sister - a single, flight attendant based in Johannesburg. Fifty year old Beauty is a black woman from the Transvaal. She leaves her boys behind to try and bring her beloved daughter Nomsa back from Johannesburg where she has become a student leader fighting for the rights of her people. Robin's and Beauty's lives become inextricably woven together. This is a coming-of-age story about the transformative power of love. Reading this book (to be published in July) alongside Trevor Noah's Born a Crime can help readers more intimately understand the evil of apartheid.

azu_rikka's review against another edition

3.0

I am not the audience for this book. It is written in an educational style, telling a story during Apartheid South Africa. The tone is juvanile is targeting individuals that have little or no knowledge of that time or South Africa as a country.
I like the message and some scenes are hilarious. 

lindseyslittlelibrary's review

5.0

I’m humming because I have no words. This book is simply amazing - just pick it up.

julieverive's review against another edition

5.0

Funny, heartbreaking, beautiful, sad and moving. Loved it.

july2104's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

amsquared's review

2.5

I really liked the character of Beauty. I was confused by Robin. Sometimes she was innocent and childlike, other times wise and philosophical. What could have been a wonderful device and huge twist was revealed early and with little drama or consequence. Huge plot points were just casually mentioned. Improbable events happened often. Comparisons to The Help seem apt because both have racism as a theme but very much from a white perspective with Black characters there to serve the white character (literally and figuratively).

kaseyfisher's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

taniamatviiok's review against another edition

4.0

Я фанатка Тревора Ноа

lexgawellreads's review against another edition

4.0

This book was full of so many deep and strong emotions. Loss, grief, fear, and love. I loved getting to read from the perspective of two South Africans, something that I haven’t read before!