ramonaleanna's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
kp_12's review
2.0
Because the book is written like a memory of episodes, the prose was awkward, hard to follow.
hbelle01's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ojaswisharma's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant— Wicomb plays with words, narratives, and time. She is a true genius and I’m in awe of much of what she’s written. This book is everything I wanted Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway to be.
ju1iet's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ajrussell04's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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? Yes
4.0
pardonmywritings's review
3.0
This was quite a boring and disappointing read. I couldn't invest in any of the characters including the semi-protagonist Frieda because Wicomb introduces the characters at a distance.
I think it's because I've become used to reading one voice in post colonial texts so it makes sense that Wicomb felt multiple voices would do justice to telling the story of Apartheid South Africa.
My favourite part has to be the last chapter / story showing Frieda and her mother's reunion. Huge respect for a woman who held her morals and lived in Apartheid South Africa but also respect for a girl who tried to escape it only to realise that it's not all together a bad thing.
I think it's because I've become used to reading one voice in post colonial texts so it makes sense that Wicomb felt multiple voices would do justice to telling the story of Apartheid South Africa.
My favourite part has to be the last chapter / story showing Frieda and her mother's reunion. Huge respect for a woman who held her morals and lived in Apartheid South Africa but also respect for a girl who tried to escape it only to realise that it's not all together a bad thing.
aschoonover's review
4.0
I wish I could give this book, like, three and a half stars. I didn't really enjoy the process of reading it — it was a little too dense for me and I wasn't the hugest fan of the prose style. That being said, the book really stayed with me, and the more time I spent thinking about it, the more I liked it. It's a brilliant exploration of the intersections of gender and race in Apartheid South Africa. Wicomb captures these complexities beautifully and intelligently. Even though I had a hard time getting through this book, I'm glad I read it.