Reviews

The Way Of The Women by Marlene van Niekerk

ilaurin's review against another edition

4.0

This was a very long book but worth the read. The story is one of complex relationships, the most intense between a white African woman and her black protege, turned maid, turned carer. It takes place in South Africa, mostly during Apartheid and although politics are barely mentioned, it molds the life of the protagonists. Deep story worth the read.

bccoulter's review against another edition

4.0

I'm not really sure what to say about this one. I enjoyed it. I need to give it much more thought - both as a family history and as an allegory. No one in the book is truly likeable and yet everyone is a sympathetic character in some sense. Interesting.

myrthekorf's review against another edition

challenging dark sad slow-paced

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

3.0

fluoresensitive's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.0

bettyvd's review against another edition

4.0

Ik heb geaarzeld om 4 sterren te geven, maar ik moet toch toegeven dat ik dit boek met plezier gelezen heb. Bij aanvang had ik veel scepsis, maar die vloeide gaandeweg weg.
Misschien net iets te nadrukkelijk de cirkel rond willen maken, maar wel mooie taal en goed opgebouwd. Voor wie een trage roman apprecieert, voor wie eens wil kennis maken met het leven op een boerderij in Zuid Afrika tussen 1950 en 1995 ongeveer.
Interessant hoe een van de hoofdpersonages eigenlijk onbekend blijft.

patchworkculture's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-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

4.0

sam8834's review against another edition

4.0

There's really a lot to digest in this book, much of which I can't articulate because I'm still thinking about all the pieces of it - the psychology of power dynamics between races and sexes illustrated through relationships between husband and wife, master and slave, caretaker and patient, children and maternal figures, and many more. Not to mention, these roles aren't cut and dried, and some characters fill opposing sides of the power spectrum at various points in their lives.

Also, poetic writing. Also, a chapter structure that takes a minute to get used to, but that unifies the whole epic story pretty well. This isn't the easiest read, but it's thought-provoking and worth the effort.

n0rma's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

kaisu's review against another edition

4.0

Ein langer Weg, aber ich habe es geschafft! Die Geschichte ist wirklich interessant und auch wie das Leben der beiden Frauen und ihres Umfeldes an den Leser gebracht wird. Ein dickes Manko ist jedoch die Länge. Besonders das letzte Drittel zog sich. Was nicht am Inhalt lag, sondern, dass man einfach fertig werden wollt.

clairewords's review against another edition

4.0

Milla is the only child of a farming family and set to inherit and work her own farm, she is poised to marry Jak as the book opens. The novel explores the growing tension in their relationship through Milla's diaries and the effect of Milla bringing a four year old girl from a troubled family, who has suffered prolonged abuse, into their childless marriage.

The books chapters alternate between the beginning of their life on the farm and the present, when the the girl Agaat, now a mature woman is caring for Milla as her body shuts down, paralysed, infirm, communicating only through her eyes with that character she supposedly "tamed" who she is now completely dependent on for everything.

Narrated through diary excerpts, an omniscient narrator and with a prologue and epilogue that gives voice to the estranged son; it is a haunting, disturbing read and insight into a way of living, cultural attitudes and the longevity of revenge.

Full review here at Word by Word.