A review by bukolayemi
If You Want to Make God Laugh by Bianca Marais

informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Set in South Africa right after apartheid and at the onset of the AIDS pandemic, this book is told from the perspective of three women. 

Ruth and Delilah are white women, sisters who couldn’t be more different, Ruth is an ex stripper going through a divorce who drinks a lot. Delilah and excommunicated nun. Zodwa is a Black young Zulu woman living in abject poverty who finds herself pregnant. 

Themes covered in this book are racism (overt and covert), faith, poverty, aids, foster care, adoption, mental health, rape. same sex attraction and motherhood. 

These themes make this book a great book club or buddy read pick. I especially like the discussion between the sisters about racism and the white saviour complex. 

It was compelling  to see characters evolve, especially when they shifted from villains to good people or vice versa. It added depth to their personalities and made the story more engaging

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book; it was so captivating that I breezed through it in just a few days.