zefrog's review
4.0
An enjoyable read with some strong, interesting characters. Although the author is straight he gives a credible insight the gay subculture.
Not being familiar with either South Africa or Amsterdam I felt I missed out on the finer elements of the culture clash depicted in the book which obviously constitutes a major part of it but that didn't distract from the overall enjoyment.
An incredibly broad and colourful canvas for such a short book.
Not being familiar with either South Africa or Amsterdam I felt I missed out on the finer elements of the culture clash depicted in the book which obviously constitutes a major part of it but that didn't distract from the overall enjoyment.
An incredibly broad and colourful canvas for such a short book.
eddie's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book - the second I've read in 6 months to look at the SADF's forced 'treatment' of gay conscripts, set around the time I was a conscript in Pretoria. Although De Nooy sensibly keeps this to a brief episode tangentially explored : a ploy which seems to add to its horrific power.
De Nooy's style is energetic and vivacious, and he tells his story via a number of 1st person accounts, so gradually a full picture of Staal and his tragedy emerges. Nevertheless, there are many lighter moments and some comedy in the culture clash of a conservative Afrikaner woman exploring the gay culture of Amsterdam in the 1980s.
I would say the South African and Dutch backgrounds and characters were spot-on. Less successful (in the English version of the book) was the treatment of the Polish rent boy - his fractured English not conforming to the spoken word of the Polish immigrants in my experience. However, this is not a serious shortfall in an otherwise very diverting read.
De Nooy's style is energetic and vivacious, and he tells his story via a number of 1st person accounts, so gradually a full picture of Staal and his tragedy emerges. Nevertheless, there are many lighter moments and some comedy in the culture clash of a conservative Afrikaner woman exploring the gay culture of Amsterdam in the 1980s.
I would say the South African and Dutch backgrounds and characters were spot-on. Less successful (in the English version of the book) was the treatment of the Polish rent boy - his fractured English not conforming to the spoken word of the Polish immigrants in my experience. However, this is not a serious shortfall in an otherwise very diverting read.
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