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lit_vibrations's review
4.0
This book was really a lot to take in!!! It’s very informative and thought-provoking doesn’t quite read like a typical nonfiction which is why I think I enjoyed most of it. Throughout the book we get a lot of history, personal experiences, and encounters from those during the pre and post apartheid era. It’s mainly told from the perspective of three characters Dipuo, her daughter Malaika, and Christo who was one of the last white South Africans drafted to fight for the apartheid regime.
I found it quite interesting that the author chose to go in depth on how the apartheid systemically hindered the development of blacks in South Africa. The personal stories of the 3 MC’s were the highlight of the book. A lot of their POVs centered around apartheid seemed to anchor a lot of trauma, anger, jealousy, resentment, or guilt.
The experiences during Apartheid were quite different for Dipuo and Malaika than it had been for Christo. I realized the main issue was that Black South Africans were upset at how little progress the country made when it came to the inequalities shared between those who were black opposed to those who were white. They claimed an end to white supremacy yet white privilege was still very prevalent. At one point the author made comparisons of racism in the US to what they’ve experienced in South Africa. Her discussion on the similarities could’ve gone in depth a little more.
Overall, I actually learned a lot while reading this it wasn’t something I could just breeze through. I’d recommend to someone who wants to learn a little more about South Africa’s history. It’s very complex and could have been a few chapters shorter in some parts the author rambles a bit. This wasn’t a book full of happy stories either so be prepared it’s heavy on the suffering. Special thanks to the author & @simonbooks for my gifted copy!!!
I found it quite interesting that the author chose to go in depth on how the apartheid systemically hindered the development of blacks in South Africa. The personal stories of the 3 MC’s were the highlight of the book. A lot of their POVs centered around apartheid seemed to anchor a lot of trauma, anger, jealousy, resentment, or guilt.
The experiences during Apartheid were quite different for Dipuo and Malaika than it had been for Christo. I realized the main issue was that Black South Africans were upset at how little progress the country made when it came to the inequalities shared between those who were black opposed to those who were white. They claimed an end to white supremacy yet white privilege was still very prevalent. At one point the author made comparisons of racism in the US to what they’ve experienced in South Africa. Her discussion on the similarities could’ve gone in depth a little more.
Overall, I actually learned a lot while reading this it wasn’t something I could just breeze through. I’d recommend to someone who wants to learn a little more about South Africa’s history. It’s very complex and could have been a few chapters shorter in some parts the author rambles a bit. This wasn’t a book full of happy stories either so be prepared it’s heavy on the suffering. Special thanks to the author & @simonbooks for my gifted copy!!!
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