Reviews

Die Hauswaffe by Nadine Gordimer

twentycen's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

3.5

krobart's review against another edition

2.0

See my review here:

https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2015/07/17/day-738-the-house-gun/

readacorn's review

3.0

Ein junger Mann betritt das Haus einer WG in Johannesburg, wechselt ein paar Worte mit seinem auf der Couch liegenden Freund, greift zur Hauswaffe, die auf dem Tisch liegt und erschiesst ihn.
Erzählt ist die Geschichte aus wechselnden Perspektiven, hauptsächlich aus der der Eltern des Täters, die Mutter Humanistin, der Vater tiefgläubiger Christ. Ich fand den Einstieg in die Lektüre nicht leicht. Wechselnde Perspektiven zusammen mit häufig fehlenden Anführungszeichen bei wörtlichen Reden erschweren das Lesen.
Nach etwa 100 Seiten nahm die Erzählung deutlich an Tempo auf. Interessant waren die psychologischen und religiös/moralischen Aspekte sowie das ausführlich beschriebene Gerichtsverfahren im zweiten Teil des Buches.

misspalah's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The courtroom is a present so intense it is eternity; all that has passed since that Friday night is made one in it, there is nothing conceivable after it. There are many to bear witness. Not in the empty stand in the well of the court; all around Harald and Claudia. A murder trial, out of the common criminal class, with a privileged son in the professions accused of murder has provided the Sunday papers with a story of a 'love triangle' calling up not only readers' conscious sense but also some shallow-buried prejudices: the milieu is described as a 'commune', 'a pad' where blacks and whites, 'gay and straight', live together, and there have been photographs somehow got hold of—large ones of Natalie James and the reproduction of an itinerant photographer's nightclub group in which Carl Jesper-sen appears with Khulu. All around: the curious, who may or may not be able to identify the parents. Within the whispering, shuffle and creak, they are not obvious among strangers; as for themselves, theirs is a single identity they now have that years of marriage never achieved. There is only this court, this time, this existence, mother/father.

• House Gun by Nadine Gordimer

.

.

The House Gun is a psychological novel with a relatively slow pace that begins with a murder case. It portrays the aftermath of the murder committed by the son of a white South African couple in the post-apartheid era. The son is defended by a black lawyer in the criminal court. While this serves as the central focus of the story, Nadine Gordimer skillfully integrates it with the fascinating South African environment, providing details about people's daily lives, such as their food, clothing, and décor. These details add depth to the story, making it feel more authentic. I know many authors attempted this but somehow the novel ended up being so long winded. At least, we knew why she won the nobel prize in literature. The book also highlighted an ambiguity of racial relations in South African Society via the characters in the book. It was hinted subtly given the time which the murder was committed.  Alongside the racial politics, the prevalence of violence, symbolized by the presence of guns, serves as a prominent backdrop in the novel. However, it is important to note that The House Gun is not a traditional whodunit, as the reader is already aware that Duncan committed the murder. Instead, the novel delves into the impact this event has on the parents. It explores how their feelings change towards each other and their son, ultimately leading to the breakdown of their marriage and the emergence of self-blame.

The writing style of The House Gun can be challenging to navigate. The absence of dialogue markers makes it difficult to follow conversations and events. Gordimer incorporates lengthy philosophical asides and frequent commentaries throughout the narrative, which can be overwhelming for some readers. Despite these challenges, the book offers a visceral and gripping experience. Towards the end, however, it may become somewhat repetitive. We all knew the motives, the intentions and the justifications but to keep circle back to it seems pointless (at least

to me). Overall, if you appreciate deep psychological insights into complex characters and the moral dilemmas they face, I would recommend giving The House Gun a read, despite its initial difficulty to engage with.

_jpmh_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.25

Strange book, some quality writing and very tense in places, but also seems to meander a lot as well. Interesting, but can't say I loved it.

clara_lotte's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

wizward's review against another edition

3.0

Gordimer's style is difficult but brilliant, however, you will not sing her praises until you finally get some grasp of it. It took me a long time to actually start to appreciate the quirks and the overall form of the novel, with its indented dialogue, and with its meandering narration that flicks from character to character.

But overall, the exploration of the legal system, the climate of violence, gun culture etc in South Africa is thorough and nuanced.

bobbo49's review against another edition

5.0

In her own unique style, Gordimer presents a taut portrait of a white South African mother and father dealing with the aftermath of a murder committed by their son, defended by a black lawyer in the criminal court in the post-apartheid world. The intricate web of relationships - the son, his lover, his friend who has betrayed him and been killed, the parents, the lawyer - is beautifully weaved, the dialogue sparse but revealing, the thoughts of each actor behind the voices and actions, compelling and intimate. An excellent read, thank you Katherine (and Paul Theroux, who introduced me to Gordimer's writing).

zzooeeb's review against another edition

reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.0

elinormarie's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

read for english class, very good!