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woolgatherer's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
3.75
This was a tough short story collection for me to get through. Nothing was wrong with it; it was more a "it's not you, it's me" situation that I couldn't quite get into any of the short stories. Despite this, though, I fully recognize the brilliance in Makhene's writing. The imagery in these stories is vivid and startling, with distinct descriptions that fluidly move between languages, including varieties of the English language. There was an interesting exploration of primarily Black life in South Africa (mostly Soweto) under and post-apartheid, particularly the not-so-pretty aspects of it. As the title suggests, there's a grimy and gritty feel to these stories that is felt across time. In many ways, this is exactly what Makhene is highlighting about apartheid, which is to come to terms with the ugliness of its lasting ramifications.
I think there's far more to be said about this collection than I'm able to describe, especially when it comes to motifs. I just think a lot of it flew over my head due to my woefully limited knowledge of South African history and politics.
I believe Makhene is a voice to pay attention to, and while this collection didn't quite work for me, I'd be eager to read more of her writing in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Racism, and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, and Rape
Minor: Alcoholism and Slavery
oddreads_nicolestins's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
What I liked about this book was that the stories were very intimate and the characters reappeared in different stories (sort of a "linked fates" situation). My favorite stories were:
-Indians Can't Fly
-7678B Chris Hani Road
-Jesus Owes Me Money
-The Caretaker
This book definitely made me want to read more #ownstories about the effects of Apartheid and how it affected South African communities as well as how it is still affecting them today.
Overall I feel like this collection of stories is an advanced character study of society during Apartheid in Soweto and South Africa. I describe it as "advanced" because having never read anything on this topic before, there was so much of the language and phraseology that I had a hard time understanding. This doesn't mean it couldn't be understood, of course, but as an entry to the topic and conversation around Apartheid I felt like this was inaccessible for me (this is very much a "me" problem). I need to keep up! 📚
Recommendations for the best reading experience:
- Listen to this book (as an audiobook)! I think that's what I missed out on the most, inflection and tone. If I had been able to hear many of the words/phrases spoken in the original language, I'd at least be able to infer what they were saying and the emotions behind it.
- Read other #ownstories about Apartheid and it's effects before this one. Now if you feel comfortable with the language or history this doesn't apply! But if you're like me and this would be your first foray into the topic/history, do a bit of prep/research beforehand.
-Indians Can't Fly
-7678B Chris Hani Road
-Jesus Owes Me Money
-The Caretaker
This book definitely made me want to read more #ownstories about the effects of Apartheid and how it affected South African communities as well as how it is still affecting them today.
Overall I feel like this collection of stories is an advanced character study of society during Apartheid in Soweto and South Africa. I describe it as "advanced" because having never read anything on this topic before, there was so much of the language and phraseology that I had a hard time understanding. This doesn't mean it couldn't be understood, of course, but as an entry to the topic and conversation around Apartheid I felt like this was inaccessible for me (this is very much a "me" problem). I need to keep up! 📚
Recommendations for the best reading experience:
- Listen to this book (as an audiobook)! I think that's what I missed out on the most, inflection and tone. If I had been able to hear many of the words/phrases spoken in the original language, I'd at least be able to infer what they were saying and the emotions behind it.
- Read other #ownstories about Apartheid and it's effects before this one. Now if you feel comfortable with the language or history this doesn't apply! But if you're like me and this would be your first foray into the topic/history, do a bit of prep/research beforehand.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Rape, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
In her literary debut, Magogodi oaMphela Makhene paints a picture of South African life—past and present—which was, and is, so much more than apartheid. This humanization allows for an explosion of culture and play, alongside grief and trauma. Many of these interconnected stories are about large-scale displacement and disruption, but not without the intimacy that flows from one moment to the next. I found Innards not only to be a powerful source of truth, but more importantly, an empowering reclamation.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, Murder, Grief, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Death, Bullying, Racism, and Animal death
Moderate: Blood, Xenophobia, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Fatphobia, Confinement, Colonisation, Torture, Suicide, Slavery, Rape, Child death, War, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Police brutality, and Gun violence
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