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insearchof_wonder_'s review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book I have read by Irma Joubert (I read the English version), and I enjoyed it almost as much as the first (The Girl from the Train). The storyline was not as compelling in this one, at least not to me, but the main character, Persomi, was beautifully complex and interesting.
Although set in a dramatic, tension-filled time (WW2, followed by the apartheid era in South Africa), the story flows along gently, carrying you through Persomi's early life and all the challenges, defeats, and triumphs she faced as a "bywoner's" child in the bushveld of South Africa.
My only complaint is the abrupt ending of Gerbrand's part in Persomi's life. Although only physically present for a few pages of the story, his significant presence in Persomi's life is felt deeply until it suddenly comes to an end, and then he all but disappears. His influence continues a little bit, I guess, but I felt like his story could have been a little more fleshed out, and his influence a little more clearly drawn.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. As with Girl from the Train, I particularly loved reading about a time and place that was new and different for me.
Although set in a dramatic, tension-filled time (WW2, followed by the apartheid era in South Africa), the story flows along gently, carrying you through Persomi's early life and all the challenges, defeats, and triumphs she faced as a "bywoner's" child in the bushveld of South Africa.
My only complaint is the abrupt ending of Gerbrand's part in Persomi's life. Although only physically present for a few pages of the story, his significant presence in Persomi's life is felt deeply until it suddenly comes to an end, and then he all but disappears. His influence continues a little bit, I guess, but I felt like his story could have been a little more fleshed out, and his influence a little more clearly drawn.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. As with Girl from the Train, I particularly loved reading about a time and place that was new and different for me.
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