Scan barcode
A review by thelarlbookworm
Immorality Act by Berend Mets
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
I think I'm extremely surprised and shocked that this is historical fiction... fiction based on true stories....
It's also disturbing as the 60s wasn't that long ago... being arrested under the Immorality Act. It blows my mind.
We follow the story of Promise, Willem, and Marja, a love triangle that was very much illegal in Cape Town.
One quote really got me at the very start when the Police come knocking:
'If we have reason to believe that a carnal int3rcourse is being perpetrated across the colour line in contravention of the Immorality Act, ...'
I mean, really? 'colour line'? This really angered me.
And, this is what the story revolves around... the Police arriving, evidence is found, and what the aftermath was as told by John Terreblanche (a reporter.)
While the novel is a work of fiction, it is harrowing the think that people did actually go through what is being described. These are actual real-life experiences.
The author is so incredibly clever with the format of the story, with 1st person transcripts of tape recordings, 3rd person narrative, news articles... it all links together perfectly to really hit home the situation that many faced while also making the book full of raw emotion.
You will laugh, you will cry, and it will provoke deep thoughts from you as you read this (at times) shocking and brutally honest book.
I learned a great deal and would this book recommend to anyone who would like to learn more about this subject.
It's also disturbing as the 60s wasn't that long ago... being arrested under the Immorality Act. It blows my mind.
We follow the story of Promise, Willem, and Marja, a love triangle that was very much illegal in Cape Town.
One quote really got me at the very start when the Police come knocking:
'If we have reason to believe that a carnal int3rcourse is being perpetrated across the colour line in contravention of the Immorality Act, ...'
I mean, really? 'colour line'? This really angered me.
And, this is what the story revolves around... the Police arriving, evidence is found, and what the aftermath was as told by John Terreblanche (a reporter.)
While the novel is a work of fiction, it is harrowing the think that people did actually go through what is being described. These are actual real-life experiences.
The author is so incredibly clever with the format of the story, with 1st person transcripts of tape recordings, 3rd person narrative, news articles... it all links together perfectly to really hit home the situation that many faced while also making the book full of raw emotion.
You will laugh, you will cry, and it will provoke deep thoughts from you as you read this (at times) shocking and brutally honest book.
I learned a great deal and would this book recommend to anyone who would like to learn more about this subject.