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3.23 AVERAGE
3.23 AVERAGE
reflective
fast-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:
Yes
Kemi and Jen are soul sisters who live together like blood sisters although one is black and the other white. Kemi moved to Edinburgh, Scotland at the age of two when both her parents were imprisoned for political activism.
The story starts in 1921 in Southern Rhodesia long before Kemi and Jen are born. We are introduced to a Scottish missionary called George McFadden.
There are many other characters in this book over the eighty year period it covers, most were very well developed.
I particularly liked reading about Kellyanne, and seeing life from the point of view of a white South African seen as European but who in fact had never left South Africa. Not quite African nor European.
There is a sweet love story developing between Solam, a handsome South African man Kemi met in London. But is it really a love story? Read the book to find out.
I really enjoyed reading parts of this book, set partly in South Africa and partly in the United Kingdom, it was an easy read, a big book with small chapters. Although I can see how it all comes together, I think some parts of the storyline worked better than others.
I loved the beautiful quotes at the beginning of each part.
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Pan Macmillan for the Advance Review Copy.
Summary: South African-born Kemisa Mashabane is sent to live in Edinburgh, England with the McFadden Family. A strong bond and sisterhood is formed between the McFadden’s daughter – Jennifer and Kemisa.
Kemisa meets South Africa’s black political elite – Solam Rhoyi. His breath-taking appearance and charisma sweep Kemisa off her feet. The meeting propels Kemi to travel to her homeland (South Africa) after several years away in England. Jennifer agrees to go on the trip with Kemi (her soul sister) seeking an escape from her overbearing father.
In Johannesburg, Kemisa discovers more about her past and her family. Jennifer and Kemisa’s trust and friendship get up caught in Solam’s political ambitions. Solam’s lies and secrets threaten to tear the sisters apart.
Review: This is my first Lesley Lokko and I must admit that I was blown away by the story. Lesley Lokko knows how to keep her readers engaged – chapter after chapter. The story starts slow dating back generations and exploring the background and history between the McFadden’s and the Mashabane’s. By the 7th chapter, the story picked up and I was unable to put the book down.
“We don’t really mix, you see. And there’s our … history”
I liked that the book explored heavy subjects such as apartheid and the corruption in South Africa before and after the end of the era. I was particularly impressed with the story of Solam’s return to his country, his dirty dealings and his rise up the political ladder. Lesley Lokko beautifully displays how two sisters are caught up in a young man’s obsession with power.
“I didn’t want to be one of those people who say I am going home and never go home”
I loved that some part of the story centred on children of jailed political leaders “Heroes of the struggle” and how they found their way back to the homeland.
I also loved the romance between Kemsia and Solam until I found out that Solam is more of a political animal than a lover and would do anything to climb the political ladder. I was disgusted by Solam’s character – such an unpleasant character. This one took me through emotions – anger, hate, disgust…I just had to close the book and catch my breath at a point.
The book explored subjects such as love, family, sisterhood, power, corruption, dirty politics, death, grief, mental health among others.
Lokko’s writing is simple and straight to the point conveying strong emotions. There were other minor characters I fell in love with - Julian and Ayanda. I would have loved that their individual stories be expanded a little more, especially Ayanda.
The not so good part:
The chapters were short. The chapters were cut short by the time I had gained an understanding of the events and my interest was heightened.
I found myself asking questions by the time I had finished reading the book. I was hoping that Lesley Lokko would unravel some of the mysteries to the characters, however, she didn’t do that.
Summary: South African-born Kemisa Mashabane is sent to live in Edinburgh, England with the McFadden Family. A strong bond and sisterhood is formed between the McFadden’s daughter – Jennifer and Kemisa.
Kemisa meets South Africa’s black political elite – Solam Rhoyi. His breath-taking appearance and charisma sweep Kemisa off her feet. The meeting propels Kemi to travel to her homeland (South Africa) after several years away in England. Jennifer agrees to go on the trip with Kemi (her soul sister) seeking an escape from her overbearing father.
In Johannesburg, Kemisa discovers more about her past and her family. Jennifer and Kemisa’s trust and friendship get up caught in Solam’s political ambitions. Solam’s lies and secrets threaten to tear the sisters apart.
Review: This is my first Lesley Lokko and I must admit that I was blown away by the story. Lesley Lokko knows how to keep her readers engaged – chapter after chapter. The story starts slow dating back generations and exploring the background and history between the McFadden’s and the Mashabane’s. By the 7th chapter, the story picked up and I was unable to put the book down.
“We don’t really mix, you see. And there’s our … history”
I liked that the book explored heavy subjects such as apartheid and the corruption in South Africa before and after the end of the era. I was particularly impressed with the story of Solam’s return to his country, his dirty dealings and his rise up the political ladder. Lesley Lokko beautifully displays how two sisters are caught up in a young man’s obsession with power.
“I didn’t want to be one of those people who say I am going home and never go home”
I loved that some part of the story centred on children of jailed political leaders “Heroes of the struggle” and how they found their way back to the homeland.
I also loved the romance between Kemsia and Solam until I found out that Solam is more of a political animal than a lover and would do anything to climb the political ladder. I was disgusted by Solam’s character – such an unpleasant character. This one took me through emotions – anger, hate, disgust…I just had to close the book and catch my breath at a point.
The book explored subjects such as love, family, sisterhood, power, corruption, dirty politics, death, grief, mental health among others.
Lokko’s writing is simple and straight to the point conveying strong emotions. There were other minor characters I fell in love with - Julian and Ayanda. I would have loved that their individual stories be expanded a little more, especially Ayanda.
The not so good part:
The chapters were short. The chapters were cut short by the time I had gained an understanding of the events and my interest was heightened.
I found myself asking questions by the time I had finished reading the book. I was hoping that Lesley Lokko would unravel some of the mysteries to the characters, however, she didn’t do that.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
An interesting, well written and complex story.
I loved the characters and learned a lot about South Africa and it's political history.
The characters are well thought and the descriptions of the different places are fascinating.
The plot is a bit confusing at times but I enjoyed.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I loved the characters and learned a lot about South Africa and it's political history.
The characters are well thought and the descriptions of the different places are fascinating.
The plot is a bit confusing at times but I enjoyed.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Soul Sisters by Lesley Lokko - 4 ⭐️
[AD-PR product]
Thank you so much to @randomthingstours for my copy and place on this book tour!
Review ⭐️ - This book completely surprised me, the contents page included quite a timeline with a number of characters and I wasn’t sure how’d it would all puzzle together but it does, and it does so well. Soul Sisters brings together Jen, Kemi and Solam in ways, I wasn’t expecting but ways that were carefully stitched together from the get go - the bond that Jen and Kemi is exactly that of sisters but with a history of mothers that are ultimately shadows but for entirely different reasons. Lesley Lokko doesn’t just bring Edinburgh and London to life throughout the pages of Soul Sisters but South Africa, by providing such an education of the history surrounding the country and the political changes that took place. Without a doubt, I didn’t just learn from reading this book but I enjoyed seeing the characters develop with every page - if you love historical fiction, this should be on your TBR.
I doubt this will be the last book I read by Lesley Lokko
[AD-PR product]
Thank you so much to @randomthingstours for my copy and place on this book tour!
Review ⭐️ - This book completely surprised me, the contents page included quite a timeline with a number of characters and I wasn’t sure how’d it would all puzzle together but it does, and it does so well. Soul Sisters brings together Jen, Kemi and Solam in ways, I wasn’t expecting but ways that were carefully stitched together from the get go - the bond that Jen and Kemi is exactly that of sisters but with a history of mothers that are ultimately shadows but for entirely different reasons. Lesley Lokko doesn’t just bring Edinburgh and London to life throughout the pages of Soul Sisters but South Africa, by providing such an education of the history surrounding the country and the political changes that took place. Without a doubt, I didn’t just learn from reading this book but I enjoyed seeing the characters develop with every page - if you love historical fiction, this should be on your TBR.
I doubt this will be the last book I read by Lesley Lokko
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
I read this in a day. During the first few chapters it jumped around a bit which confused me but then when it moved on it was only months instead of years so was much easier to follow. I enjoyed the bond between the sisters which was always there, no matter what the other had done. However, the ending fell a little flat for me. I needed more!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.