A review by p4chen
Crooked Seeds by Karen Jennings

4.5

Longlisted - Women’s Prize for Fiction - 2025

A difficult, yet compelling read - intergenerational trauma and socioeconomic inequality.

Set within the South African drought and political instability. 

Deidre is a perpetual victim, ever complaining about her situation.  She takes advantage of everyone. 

Every moment of every day is a challenge for her - she is drowning in the circumstances of her life. 

In her squalor and the abuse she inflicts on her own body, it was interesting that the people she took advantage of the most were people of colour. 

There is a mystery playing out within this novel - further revealing the dysfunction of a family and of a nation. 

It was heart-breaking from start to finish. 

Yet the author leaves us with the possibility of hope for the future as a metaphor - Personal/People?
National/a Nation?

Hope for growth and renewal - even from crooked seeds (past + present) if only the rains could come to cleanse and end this season of drought and destruction. 

Note: There is a Spotify playlist created by the author for this novel. 

“Each book that I write has its own emotions, its own rhythms, requiring its own playlist.” KJ