patchworkculture's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sam8834's review against another edition
4.0
There's really a lot to digest in this book, much of which I can't articulate because I'm still thinking about all the pieces of it - the psychology of power dynamics between races and sexes illustrated through relationships between husband and wife, master and slave, caretaker and patient, children and maternal figures, and many more. Not to mention, these roles aren't cut and dried, and some characters fill opposing sides of the power spectrum at various points in their lives.
Also, poetic writing. Also, a chapter structure that takes a minute to get used to, but that unifies the whole epic story pretty well. This isn't the easiest read, but it's thought-provoking and worth the effort.
Also, poetic writing. Also, a chapter structure that takes a minute to get used to, but that unifies the whole epic story pretty well. This isn't the easiest read, but it's thought-provoking and worth the effort.
n0rma's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kaisu's review
4.0
Ein langer Weg, aber ich habe es geschafft! Die Geschichte ist wirklich interessant und auch wie das Leben der beiden Frauen und ihres Umfeldes an den Leser gebracht wird. Ein dickes Manko ist jedoch die Länge. Besonders das letzte Drittel zog sich. Was nicht am Inhalt lag, sondern, dass man einfach fertig werden wollt.
ayalalev's review against another edition
5.0
Where do I start? This is such an exceptional book, both in subject and presentation. It tells the story of Milla, an afrikaner (white Dutch farmer in apartheid South Africa) who has ALS. The story is told from different points of view and time. The present 1996, the past around the 60's and her day journals.
It is also the story of Agaat. saved as a child from "black life" just to belong nowhere because she could never be white and being betrayed when a white substitute came along.
But Can you hate a woman lying paralyzed dying in bed totally dependent of her loyal maid? you find yourself excusing her for what she did to Agaat. She saved Agaat, it was apartheid, she was a victim of domestic violence herself and ALS is an awful way to die so haven't she suffered enough...
Other issues this book deals with are ableism, domestic violence, motherhood and I think also the meat industry (CW contain detailed descriptions of slaughter). I think this book is ideal for bookclubs because it raises lots of thoughts and feelings.
It is also the story of Agaat. saved as a child from "black life" just to belong nowhere because she could never be white and being betrayed when a white substitute came along.
But Can you hate a woman lying paralyzed dying in bed totally dependent of her loyal maid? you find yourself excusing her for what she did to Agaat. She saved Agaat, it was apartheid, she was a victim of domestic violence herself and ALS is an awful way to die so haven't she suffered enough...
Other issues this book deals with are ableism, domestic violence, motherhood and I think also the meat industry (CW contain detailed descriptions of slaughter). I think this book is ideal for bookclubs because it raises lots of thoughts and feelings.
clairewords's review against another edition
4.0
Milla is the only child of a farming family and set to inherit and work her own farm, she is poised to marry Jak as the book opens. The novel explores the growing tension in their relationship through Milla's diaries and the effect of Milla bringing a four year old girl from a troubled family, who has suffered prolonged abuse, into their childless marriage.
The books chapters alternate between the beginning of their life on the farm and the present, when the the girl Agaat, now a mature woman is caring for Milla as her body shuts down, paralysed, infirm, communicating only through her eyes with that character she supposedly "tamed" who she is now completely dependent on for everything.
Narrated through diary excerpts, an omniscient narrator and with a prologue and epilogue that gives voice to the estranged son; it is a haunting, disturbing read and insight into a way of living, cultural attitudes and the longevity of revenge.
Full review here at Word by Word.
The books chapters alternate between the beginning of their life on the farm and the present, when the the girl Agaat, now a mature woman is caring for Milla as her body shuts down, paralysed, infirm, communicating only through her eyes with that character she supposedly "tamed" who she is now completely dependent on for everything.
Narrated through diary excerpts, an omniscient narrator and with a prologue and epilogue that gives voice to the estranged son; it is a haunting, disturbing read and insight into a way of living, cultural attitudes and the longevity of revenge.
Full review here at Word by Word.
anne_hillebrand's review against another edition
3.0
Erg mooi, maar schrijfstijl soms te langdradig en de stukken met weinig/geen interpunctie zijn ontzettend irritant om te lezen. Een gecompliceerde kwestie is op een geweldige manier in kaart gebracht, maar soms dacht ik, daar had een editor beter nog een keer overheen kunnen gaan.
collismeanshill's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
brogan7's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This book is a very challenging read. It talks about all of the cruelties one can imagine: white against black, male against female, parent against child, human against land. But it is also very intense and nuanced, a deep study of one human mind, essentially, a woman in a struggle with herself and her entire world, a woman who didn't have the chances she wanted but then who also did inexplicably cruel things. There are cracks of hope in this book, but perhaps more of them were within my thoughts than in the actual text.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Rape
Spoiler
There were some less-than-believable parts in this book, for instance when the husband dies, which seemed almost farcical.r_k's review against another edition
DNF
pg 161
I tried with this book but just could not get into it. There were 3 plot lines and I was only interested in 1. There was a lot of weird stuff too and the style of writing was really hard to keep up with. I got tired after a while
pg 161
I tried with this book but just could not get into it. There were 3 plot lines and I was only interested in 1. There was a lot of weird stuff too and the style of writing was really hard to keep up with. I got tired after a while