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andrew_j_r's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book because I went into a bookshop in Cape Town and asked for something very South African.
It's a pretty grim tale. If follows the lives, principally, of three children who live on a farm and follows their lives through pretty much to the end. It shows hard, thankless lives, with almost no joy in them. There are not many characters, but the nice ones seen to get a hard time and the nastiest one - it is hinted towards the end - eventually does rather well for himself. I'm really not sure
It's a pretty grim tale. If follows the lives, principally, of three children who live on a farm and follows their lives through pretty much to the end. It shows hard, thankless lives, with almost no joy in them. There are not many characters, but the nice ones seen to get a hard time and the nastiest one - it is hinted towards the end - eventually does rather well for himself. I'm really not sure
mhs_197's review against another edition
3.0
There were certain sections that were written beautifully. However, other sections were dry and difficult to get through. I did read this for a class where we close read some sections, which made it more interesting than if I was just reading this for leisure.
I also got so angry and frustrated at the characters at times that I had to take a break from reading, which I think shows they’re well written.
There’s definitely casual racism and antisemitism throughout the book, which is kind of to be expected due to the time period and identity of the author, but still important to recognize.
I also got so angry and frustrated at the characters at times that I had to take a break from reading, which I think shows they’re well written.
There’s definitely casual racism and antisemitism throughout the book, which is kind of to be expected due to the time period and identity of the author, but still important to recognize.
d3mi_mo0re's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
musubi_mumma's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
ameliethemoomin's review
challenging
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lenasabindawson's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
tmiantsoko's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
giada_andolfo's review against another edition
5.0
A heartbreaking story about two little stepdaughters in the English colony, a story which is not only about the difficulties of being a child in that states, but also, and above all, the difficulties of being a sort of salve like Waldo and being able to find Beauty in everything. The strong desire of knowledge of the beautiful Lyndall, whose destiny will make you cry, the desire to be loved by someone like Em and the desire to enrich yourself by doing what you love, like Waldo, Even if you can hardly describe it. A story that I got to know thanks To my teacher. This story, more than Oronooko's made me cry.