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english_lady03's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this book for one main reason. Its set in South Africa, the land of my birth (ah, you thought I was entirely British, didn't you?). It was a good story, and the characters were wonderful: Persomi (what a lovely name!), was an incredibly strong and resilient character who developed a lot on the course of the story, and learned to stick up for what was right through the friendships and relationships formed in the course of her lifetime.
Nor is this Saccharin sweet Christian Fiction: the characters are realistically flawed, very flawed, and some very disturbing things happened, as do go on in real life. The course of love and life does not run smoothly for all the characters, as their life stories weave into each other, as told from the perspective of the heroine.
Yet, whilst this was worth the read, there was something that bugged me throughout the story. Although my family was British emigrants to South Africa and not Afrikaans, I grew up with some knowledge of certain terms and phrases, and the culture of the land. Which makes me conclude that this book did not quite 'feel' South African enough. Yes, the landscape, geography flora and fauna were right, and the details about history, even some of the attitudes.
However, this book was clearly translated with an American audience in mind: which resulted in the use of frequent Americanisms which seemed really out of place. They don't tend to talk about school 'vacations', 'recess' changing 'diapers' or visiting the local 'store'.
I'd like to have seen more actual Afrikaans words. And perhaps more exploration of how certain laws and groups impacted people. For example, I really had a problem with how Boelli, Persomi's best friend and the love of her life, was basically a vile racist, who joined a group with Nazi affiliations during the war. I can understand how as a naive teenager she did not seem to have a problem with it and felt sorry for him when he was arrested, but he never seemed to renounce those ideas (though he left the group), which were at odds with her later stance against Apartheid. They say love is blind, and in that case, I think it really was.
Nor is this Saccharin sweet Christian Fiction: the characters are realistically flawed, very flawed, and some very disturbing things happened, as do go on in real life. The course of love and life does not run smoothly for all the characters, as their life stories weave into each other, as told from the perspective of the heroine.
Yet, whilst this was worth the read, there was something that bugged me throughout the story. Although my family was British emigrants to South Africa and not Afrikaans, I grew up with some knowledge of certain terms and phrases, and the culture of the land. Which makes me conclude that this book did not quite 'feel' South African enough. Yes, the landscape, geography flora and fauna were right, and the details about history, even some of the attitudes.
However, this book was clearly translated with an American audience in mind: which resulted in the use of frequent Americanisms which seemed really out of place. They don't tend to talk about school 'vacations', 'recess' changing 'diapers' or visiting the local 'store'.
I'd like to have seen more actual Afrikaans words. And perhaps more exploration of how certain laws and groups impacted people. For example, I really had a problem with how Boelli, Persomi's best friend and the love of her life, was basically a vile racist, who joined a group with Nazi affiliations during the war. I can understand how as a naive teenager she did not seem to have a problem with it and felt sorry for him when he was arrested, but he never seemed to renounce those ideas (though he left the group), which were at odds with her later stance against Apartheid. They say love is blind, and in that case, I think it really was.
maryquitecontrary_22's review
4.0
I had some doubts when I opened up the cover and saw that the book starts with a glossary, (this novel has been translated from the author's native Afrikaans into English) but I was pleasantly surprised with the writing. Joubert beautifully entwines the history of South Africa from WWII to the days of Apartheid with a fictional story about a strong-willed heroine named Persomi who battles prejudice-- aimed at her socioeconomic status as well as others' ethnicity and religion-- to one day find value and meaning in her life. If you enjoy historical fiction, strong female lead characters, and a bit of romance, you'll love Child of the River.
fenja2003's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
rgyger's review
5.0
This is an absolutely fantastic book. I can't remember a novel that has ever left me teary eyed before this one, and I usually hate any that have brought me even close because the characters lives where typically futile, with little hope in the end. But even though Persomi's childhood, and even parts of her adult life, where heartbreaking, there were very few moments which felt hopeless.
Persomi is the kind of person who never lets life crush her. Though she has her broken moments, she soon rallies and moves forward, refusing to back down from her convictions. Dealing with the politics of WWII, in which Irma realistically portrays a society which more or less sided with the Germans, and Apartheid, Child of the River not only shows a woman with incredible strength of character but also revels a time in history where social strife mirrored current social issues in the US.
Originally published in 2010, there is no way the author could have foreseen just how relevant this work would be years later and in another language. But I think that this book can teach a lot about holding on to ones own convictions while still putting major differences aside to love and care for those around us.
I highly recommend this work, both for the history and for Persomi herself. I can't wait to see more of Irma's novels translated and will be eagerly looking for them on shelves.
I have provided an honest review of this novel after having received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
Persomi is the kind of person who never lets life crush her. Though she has her broken moments, she soon rallies and moves forward, refusing to back down from her convictions. Dealing with the politics of WWII, in which Irma realistically portrays a society which more or less sided with the Germans, and Apartheid, Child of the River not only shows a woman with incredible strength of character but also revels a time in history where social strife mirrored current social issues in the US.
Originally published in 2010, there is no way the author could have foreseen just how relevant this work would be years later and in another language. But I think that this book can teach a lot about holding on to ones own convictions while still putting major differences aside to love and care for those around us.
I highly recommend this work, both for the history and for Persomi herself. I can't wait to see more of Irma's novels translated and will be eagerly looking for them on shelves.
I have provided an honest review of this novel after having received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
brittney_weber's review
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This book fell flat to me, but that's probably because it just wasn't my type of book. It was very slow-paced and nothing much happened between the first 50 pages and the last 100 pages (and even then, the pacing was still slow). Reading it just drug on and I couldn't wait to be finished with it.
I did enjoy Persomi's character, as well as her friends, but her mom got on my nerves. I guess that was part of her character and the point, but the fact that her negligence was never addressed was frustrating.
I also liked that Persomi stood up for what she believed was right even though it wasn't popular. She fought for the rights of the Indians in her town, when everyone else wanted them out.
Time seemed irrelevant in the book. Time was clearly passing since Persomi was a young girl at the beginning and by the end she was in her 30s or 40s (not sure because there wasn't a clear time laid out). This became frustrating because Time would clearly skip forward but I was never sure exactly how much time.
Lastly, I'm really not sure how I feel about Persomi and Boelie's relationship. It's all very complicated, but I don't enjoy the cheating trope. Although it never really crossed that line between them, it got close because of their emotional connection despite him being married.
I did enjoy Persomi's character, as well as her friends, but her mom got on my nerves. I guess that was part of her character and the point, but the fact that her negligence was never addressed was frustrating.
I also liked that Persomi stood up for what she believed was right even though it wasn't popular. She fought for the rights of the Indians in her town, when everyone else wanted them out.
Time seemed irrelevant in the book. Time was clearly passing since Persomi was a young girl at the beginning and by the end she was in her 30s or 40s (not sure because there wasn't a clear time laid out). This became frustrating because Time would clearly skip forward but I was never sure exactly how much time.
Lastly, I'm really not sure how I feel about Persomi and Boelie's relationship. It's all very complicated, but I don't enjoy the cheating trope. Although it never really crossed that line between them, it got close because of their emotional connection despite him being married.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Incest, Racism, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Classism, Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Alcoholism
Minor: Antisemitism, Death, and Grief
farmfreshlisa's review
4.0
writing my review this week...
So I had forgotten that I had read this book already, but it was good to read it again. I don’t think I loved it more than the first book by the author, but I love the powerful rise of the lead character Persomi, as she battles her past, and fights for the less fortunate. This book begins at WW2 and goes through the initiation of Apartheid in South Africa. You learn the inner scoop of the turmoil of the country on the lives of the people. I hadn’t realized how many Indian citizens there were.
This is a deep book. Lots to ponder. In many ways Persomis life mimics that of those who live in the deep Appalachian region of the US during that time period.
I recommend this book for those would want less romance and more plot.
So I had forgotten that I had read this book already, but it was good to read it again. I don’t think I loved it more than the first book by the author, but I love the powerful rise of the lead character Persomi, as she battles her past, and fights for the less fortunate. This book begins at WW2 and goes through the initiation of Apartheid in South Africa. You learn the inner scoop of the turmoil of the country on the lives of the people. I hadn’t realized how many Indian citizens there were.
This is a deep book. Lots to ponder. In many ways Persomis life mimics that of those who live in the deep Appalachian region of the US during that time period.
I recommend this book for those would want less romance and more plot.
ori_gina_lity's review
4.0
I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. This South African novel spans WWII all the way to the late 1960s. It's characterized as a romance, but encompasses so much more from fantastic character development, history, and justice during apartheid. I thoroughly enjoyed this read though it fell just shy of 5 stars for me only because the writing felt choppy at times, most likely do to it being translated into english.
cjyh's review
4.0
Received this book from Goodreads giveaway. Good historical fiction, appreciated learning about the beginnings of apartheid. Disappointed in the ending, trite.
storymi's review against another edition
3.0
Meestal drie, heel af en toe twee sterren voor de schrijfstijl: toegankelijk en leest gemakkelijk weg. Er was één stuk over de liefde waar het even tenenkrommend cliché werd :) verliefdheid wordt in het boek sowieso standaard beschreven als 'Zijn ogen werden donker toen hij naar haar keek.' Ben benieuwd hoe dat er eigenlijk precies uitziet. Maar goed, over het algemeen: las fijn weg.
Pluspunten van het boek (waardoor het richting de vier sterren ging):
1. De hoofdpersoon Persomi was tof. Onafhankelijk en met een sterk rechtvaardigheidsgevoel. Ik leefde met haar mee, terwijl ze tijdens het boek opgroeide.
2. Je leert tijdens het lezen heel wat bij over Zuid-Afrika en het begin van de apartheid, vooral vanuit Indisch perspectief. Ook hoe de Tweede Wereld Oorlog in Afrika er uit zag. Interessant!
3. Het grootste pluspunt aan het boek vond ik dat Joubert in het boek goed de verschillende meningen laat zien die er in die tijd leefden en geen dingen probeert weg te poetsen. Sommige hoofdpersonen hebben meningen die we in deze tijd gewoon als heel racistisch zouden bestempelen, toch schildert ze hen niet meteen onsympathiek af. Ze laat zien hoe sterk de racistische denkbeelden in de maatschappij verweven zaten en hoe vreemd het was om daar tegen in te gaan. Ook komt niet alles de hele tijd meteen goed in het boek, het gaat met horten en stoten en sommige dingen komen gewoon helemaal niet goed. Dat maakt 't verhaal weer een stuk realistischer.
Eindoordeel: ik zit er de laatste tijd de hele tijd 'tussen'. Ergens tussen de drie en vier sterren dus :) Binnenkort ga ik reizen in het gebied waar dit boek zich afspeelt. Nu al zin om de wereld van Persomi in het echt te gaan bekijken!
Pluspunten van het boek (waardoor het richting de vier sterren ging):
1. De hoofdpersoon Persomi was tof. Onafhankelijk en met een sterk rechtvaardigheidsgevoel. Ik leefde met haar mee, terwijl ze tijdens het boek opgroeide.
2. Je leert tijdens het lezen heel wat bij over Zuid-Afrika en het begin van de apartheid, vooral vanuit Indisch perspectief. Ook hoe de Tweede Wereld Oorlog in Afrika er uit zag. Interessant!
3. Het grootste pluspunt aan het boek vond ik dat Joubert in het boek goed de verschillende meningen laat zien die er in die tijd leefden en geen dingen probeert weg te poetsen. Sommige hoofdpersonen hebben meningen die we in deze tijd gewoon als heel racistisch zouden bestempelen, toch schildert ze hen niet meteen onsympathiek af. Ze laat zien hoe sterk de racistische denkbeelden in de maatschappij verweven zaten en hoe vreemd het was om daar tegen in te gaan. Ook komt niet alles de hele tijd meteen goed in het boek, het gaat met horten en stoten en sommige dingen komen gewoon helemaal niet goed. Dat maakt 't verhaal weer een stuk realistischer.
Eindoordeel: ik zit er de laatste tijd de hele tijd 'tussen'. Ergens tussen de drie en vier sterren dus :) Binnenkort ga ik reizen in het gebied waar dit boek zich afspeelt. Nu al zin om de wereld van Persomi in het echt te gaan bekijken!
jerseygrrrl's review
2.0
If you want to read a book about South Africa that doesn't believe that people of color exist (except for one immigrant from India), this is your book. Unfortunately, you'll also have to live with a protagonist who we're told is smart, but doesn't act smart and a love interest who allies with the Nazis. I must confess that I skimmed the last half of the book so I might have missed something. But I don't think so.