Reviews

Coconut by Kopano Matlwa

capacityunchanged's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

sinamile's review against another edition

5.0

CW/TW: racism, mention of cheating, internalised racism, BEE corruption, ethinicism, bullying, racial bullying, rape, incest, trauma, child abuse, child neglect, suicide, parental death, child molestation, pedophilia, child physical abuse, death, shoplifting, ableist slurs, mention of rape, sexual harassment, catcalling, unconcerned kissing, unconcerned touching,

The pear and apple story. F#ck me up!
Um. The poem? F#uck me up!

“...the people you strive so hard to be like will one day reject you because as much as you may pretend, you are not one of their own. Then you will turn back, but there too you will find no acceptance, for those you once rejected will no longer recognise the thing you have become. So far, too far to return. So much, too much you have changed. Stuck between two worlds, shunned by both.”

*deep, deep breath* F#CK. ME. UP!

I have so much I want to say about this book but I have lost all ability to words. This book is just, it's a gem. I love the way South African authors write, it makes me feel at home because I know everything they're talking about, I understand what the characters are going through. And with this particular book, oh boy. Oh boy!

There is, again, so much I want to say, so much of myself I would put in this review, explaining how this entire book resonates within me, but words fall short and all I can say is holy sh*t, holy wow, this book is excellent.

comfort_m's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative 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? No

3.25

moisreading's review

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

emmmgarratt's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective slow-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

3.0

mukoya's review against another edition

5.0

I was sad to see this book end, there should be a sequel :(

andrew_j_r's review

3.0

An interesting book that looks at the lives of two black girls in the post apartheid era in South Africa. Nothing really happens, it's like a snapshot of two lives (that intersect, albeit briefly.). There is an irony that the two girls, who have different backgrounds, seem to despise each other and yet their aleination and world view seem to be similar.
I read this book after being recommended it by a chap in a bookshop in Cape Town (I was asking for something written by a local about local issues). It enlightened me to a contradiction that I had not even considered, and was worth reading for that alone.

malloryk_18's review against another edition

3.0

When I first started reading the book I found it very hard to follow but upon further reading, I found it really interesting. I love the contrast between the two main characters and how even though they are very different they have quite a lot of similarities. Now I wouldn't have read this if it was not prescribed to me for a subject, but I actually enjoy it a lot more than I thought I would. Don't judge a book before you've read it.

temweka's review against another edition

4.0

It's a well told story depicting the internal turmoil of many young Africans growing up in a highly westernised environment. I hate and love how well I could relate to some of the characters.

essjay1's review against another edition

4.0

Loved this debut novel, I hope she continues to tell stories about growing up here.