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grundlbundl's review against another edition
4.0
Contains rape. This was very beautiful, but also utterly depressing.
car22oline's review against another edition
4.0
stop making wildly different american versions of books!! we’re not stupid i promise 😭
toofondofbooks's review
4.0
This is an incredible novella that explores xenophobia through the viewpoint of Masechaba, a young doctor in South Africa. This book packs so much into its few pages and I was spellbound by it. Masechaba’s struggles with her own body through her periods was so visceral and relatable, and later the horrific thing that happens to her along with the aftermath was so hard to read and yet I couldn’t look away. I added this book to my 20 Books of Summer TBR and I’m so glad that I finally got to read it because it’s an incredible book and I highly recommend it.
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
storeytale's review
3.0
Storyline felt a bit rushed and thin, but it was meaningful to read about a doctor in South Africa.
yolie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
What a grim and incredibly compelling read.
As a South African, stories about sexual violence aren’t limited to works of fiction, but a reality with live with. That being said, Period Pain was not unusual in its content nor the way in which events unfolded in Masechaba’s life.
Masechaba is a young Black junior doctor suffering from burnout out and depression. She’s also experiencing moral injury, and grappling with her own mental health while entrusted with the health of hundreds of patients has her questioning her abilities and the world.
Despite how hesitant I was at times to complete the book, I wanted to see Masechaba’s story through.
I was not a fan of how the book ended, but it is something that gave her renewed purpose after the years of turmoil she experienced so maybe it’s the right conclusion for her.
As a South African, stories about sexual violence aren’t limited to works of fiction, but a reality with live with. That being said, Period Pain was not unusual in its content nor the way in which events unfolded in Masechaba’s life.
Masechaba is a young Black junior doctor suffering from burnout out and depression. She’s also experiencing moral injury, and grappling with her own mental health while entrusted with the health of hundreds of patients has her questioning her abilities and the world.
Despite how hesitant I was at times to complete the book, I wanted to see Masechaba’s story through.
I was not a fan of how the book ended, but it is something that gave her renewed purpose after the years of turmoil she experienced so maybe it’s the right conclusion for her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Mental illness, Racial slurs, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
africanbookaddict's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
!!! book blog review https://africanbookaddict.com/2019/02/15/period-pain-by-kopano-matlwa/
!!! book blog review https://africanbookaddict.com/2019/02/15/period-pain-by-kopano-matlwa/
jordicv's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
rosa44's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
«¿Por qué me rechazas, Señor? ¿Por qué escondes de mí tu rostro? Desde mi juventud he soportado terribles penas y he estado cerca de la muerte. He sufrido tus espantos y desespero. Tu ira me abruma y tus terribles ataques, que a todas horas me envuelven y ahogan como un diluvio, me han vencido. Has alejado de mí a mis amigos y a mis seres queridos, y las tinieblas son mi única compañía».
Salmos 88:14-18
"Quiero llorar, pero implica demasiado tiempo, demasiada energía. Quiero huir, escapar, pero ¿adónde? Escapar requiere planificación, cálculo, organización. Siento como si me ahogase dentro de mí. ¿Es eso posible? ¿Ahogarse en la misma sangre que te corre por las venas? Siento que el aire de los pulmones me asfixia, como si hubiese una pequeña yo dentro de la más grande que luchara para no hundirse. En lo más profundo de mi interior hay algo que necesita ayuda. Algo en apuros. Grita, jadea, agoniza."
"Supongo que, hasta cierto punto, siento alivio. Solía preguntarme qué desgracia me tocaría, cuál sería mi montaña, mi valle, mi sombra, mi noche oscura del alma. Ese acontecimiento terrible que nos aguarda a la vuelta de la esquina y nos pilla desprevenidos, que hace que nuestro mundo se desmorone y que tiemble el suelo que nos sostiene. Antes mamá me decía: «No seas tan negativa. No deberías pensar así, no va a pasarte nada. Confía en Dios. Estás paranoica."
Salmos 88:14-18
"Quiero llorar, pero implica demasiado tiempo, demasiada energía. Quiero huir, escapar, pero ¿adónde? Escapar requiere planificación, cálculo, organización. Siento como si me ahogase dentro de mí. ¿Es eso posible? ¿Ahogarse en la misma sangre que te corre por las venas? Siento que el aire de los pulmones me asfixia, como si hubiese una pequeña yo dentro de la más grande que luchara para no hundirse. En lo más profundo de mi interior hay algo que necesita ayuda. Algo en apuros. Grita, jadea, agoniza."
"Supongo que, hasta cierto punto, siento alivio. Solía preguntarme qué desgracia me tocaría, cuál sería mi montaña, mi valle, mi sombra, mi noche oscura del alma. Ese acontecimiento terrible que nos aguarda a la vuelta de la esquina y nos pilla desprevenidos, que hace que nuestro mundo se desmorone y que tiemble el suelo que nos sostiene. Antes mamá me decía: «No seas tan negativa. No deberías pensar así, no va a pasarte nada. Confía en Dios. Estás paranoica."