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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
It's a DNF and my former English Major in me is shaking her head in shame, because:
1. It's a Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the awfulness about apartheid in South Africa, early '80's.
2. It's definitely what one would consider LITERATURE as it's written in a Virginia Woolf-style somewhat stream-of-consciousness' overlapping, and with the juxtaposing of past and present, white vs. black.
3. My bestie is having to read it for English 30 (which is just BULL) and I'm all: I'll totes read it with you and then we can discuss it maturely and I can give my 2 cents for your paper.
HOWEVER. I just realized I don't HAVE to finish this because:
a) I'm 38, have 2 BS degrees (that's BS for bullshit, not Bachelors of Science) and DON'T HAVE TO READ confusing prose that needs to be read over and over to understand where the person stopped talking and started... hallucinating? No idea.
b) My friend will completely understand bc she hates this book too and DOES have to finish it for a grade.
c) I can give my 2 cents (about it sucking) and still feel I've tried to help a friend in need (is a friend indeed).
d) There are way better books about South Africa. (If you have one, leave a comment below!)
So, I'm sorry. I can't do it. I have zero motivation and have so many books that are whispering my name from my TBR pile...
#fail #youcantmakeme
1. It's a Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the awfulness about apartheid in South Africa, early '80's.
2. It's definitely what one would consider LITERATURE as it's written in a Virginia Woolf-style somewhat stream-of-consciousness' overlapping, and with the juxtaposing of past and present, white vs. black.
3. My bestie is having to read it for English 30 (which is just BULL) and I'm all: I'll totes read it with you and then we can discuss it maturely and I can give my 2 cents for your paper.
HOWEVER. I just realized I don't HAVE to finish this because:
a) I'm 38, have 2 BS degrees (that's BS for bullshit, not Bachelors of Science) and DON'T HAVE TO READ confusing prose that needs to be read over and over to understand where the person stopped talking and started... hallucinating? No idea.
b) My friend will completely understand bc she hates this book too and DOES have to finish it for a grade.
c) I can give my 2 cents (about it sucking) and still feel I've tried to help a friend in need (is a friend indeed).
d) There are way better books about South Africa. (If you have one, leave a comment below!)
So, I'm sorry. I can't do it. I have zero motivation and have so many books that are whispering my name from my TBR pile...
#fail #youcantmakeme
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-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
dark
reflective
tense
medium-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
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
It took me several kick-starts to get into this book as the prose demanded complete focus. Gordimer's writing style made it hard to figure out who was saying what. There was a very different sort of rhythm to it, and once I adapted I got into the story.
It's about a white family escaping a fictional civil war in South Africa to live with July (their man servant). The role reversal that results in his village is what makes this book so interesting.
It's about a white family escaping a fictional civil war in South Africa to live with July (their man servant). The role reversal that results in his village is what makes this book so interesting.
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Although I really enjoyed the way Gordimer led the reader into the complex African/white relationship that is South Africa, her jumping back and forth made me nuts! I liked the book but wished it were less scattered.
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes