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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
If you have never read a book by an African author, this is a great book to choose. A compelling story and an interesting and enlightening view of South African society in the mid-1900s. It'll stay with you.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Another historical fiction that was probably just contemporary fiction at the time (published 1947, and I think the year is mentioned as 1946 at some point in the novel?), and my second book extra credit for Feb/March for Biere Library book club! I actually never read this in high school, so this was my first time through and I can see why: goes over a historical period, compelling conflicting points of view, and some lyrical writing. Also, another accidental foray into another piece of media thinking about fatherhood as Stephen Kumalo and Jarvis consider the incident between their sons.
I did audiobook due to infant wrangling in this season, and while I really did like Michael York's narration, the Zulu and Afrikaans words really should be read (physical editions also have glossaries, I'm told) as I spent the first third thinking Kumalo's home village was "Indochine" and wondered at the global nature of place names.
I did audiobook due to infant wrangling in this season, and while I really did like Michael York's narration, the Zulu and Afrikaans words really should be read (physical editions also have glossaries, I'm told) as I spent the first third thinking Kumalo's home village was "Indochine" and wondered at the global nature of place names.
Normally not moved by overtly religious novels, but, once again, some deeply striking final pages left me satisfied with the story as a whole. Highly recommended.
I agree that this book is a classic. It is "a work of love and hope, courage, endurance and dignity." While it is truly all of these things, it is not one of my all-time favorites. I often felt like I was working while I was reading it. That being said, it is definitely a book worth reading.
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes