A review by claudim
The Story of an African Farm by Olive Schreiner

reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

Read for thesis purposes. This book did not age particularly gracefully. Historically it remains an important piece of South African literature as it was one of the first fictional novels about South Africa from South Africa. It’s historical importance however was not enough to sway me into liking it. It’s a 19th century EdgeLord takedown of religion and tradition but peppered occasionally with beautiful snippets of aesthetic and moral philosophy, gender politics and romantic love that keeps you engaged. The narrative seems to be more interested in feminist ideas and could be classified as first wave feminist literature. Moreover it does some interesting things with gender roles and sexuality. All in all, definitely interesting but not particularly likable.