Reviews

Hum If You Don't Know the Words by Bianca Marais

briana81183's review against another edition

3.75

Still not sure how I feel about this book. I appreciated the story setting in South Africa in the 60s as I haven't read any stories or perspectives from this time. I did like how the two narrative characters intertwined in their stories. It just left me wanting a little bit more. Maybe because robin is such a complex character and I was rooting for her amidst her faults and unpleasantries. I think I wanted this to end more happily and it didn't, which is fair, but it left me feeling a little empty. 

canoechica's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

kspencerinskeep's review against another edition

4.0

Beautiful and interesting look at the bonds between a white child and her African caretaker during the disintegration of apartheid.

sarabearian's review against another edition

I could not put this book down, I was so engrossed. In the first half you are introduced to Robin, a nine-year-old white girl being raised in 1970s Johannesburg. It's a mining town, but her father is the "boss", so Robin is pretty detached from the hardships of the trade. You're also introduced to Beauty, a single mom raising her children in a rural, blacks-only village. Marais incorporates a historic event in South Africa, the Soweto uprising, a series of demonstrations and protests led by black students. In the novel, the event leads to the death of Robin's parents, and the disappearance of Beauty's activist daughter. The paths of the two characters finally cross in the second half of the book, after Robin is sent to live with her aunt, who hires Beauty to care for Robin as she often travels for work. Robin's relationship with Beauty is touching, sometimes comedic, but also tragic. Beauty represents love and support, which Robin seldom had but always craved. Beauty's affection for Robin also grows, but she continues to search for her daughter, a search requiring her to associate with individuals standing up to apartheid. A devastating climax leads to satisfying self-discoveries for the characters, and if you're like me, you won't quite be ready to let the characters go once the book ends!
-Sara Z.

lizperryman's review

emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

biancamaraisauthor's review against another edition

5.0

I've read this book more than a dozen times. Probably closer to three dozen times. And I have to say... I think it's not without its charm ;-)

This review from Boswell Book Company is one of my favourites:

"It is better than (The Help or The Secret Life of Bees) because it has a lot of sensitivity reading and is aware of what the moment is," Goldin says. "This is not a white savior narrative, this is about two people, and if anyone makes mistakes, it is the little girl."

(The five star review is meant to be a joke

dcgotz's review against another edition

5.0

4.5 ⭐️ I don’t know nearly enough about Apartheid...I’m learning. This book was told in opposing narratives and weaves a story of two very different characters that save each other. There were parts that seemed unrealistic and at times the author slaps you in the face with the message...it was obvious so a gentle shove was enough

bebe99_reads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-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

loonybin65's review against another edition

4.0

True rating 4.5 stars. I absolutely loved this book for the wonderful, unforgettable characters and for teaching me about a piece of history I had very little knowledge of. It's so well written that I found I had a hard time putting it down when real life intruded. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because the last chapter's messages, although important, didn't sound like they came from the voice of a child. Even so, I will not soon forget this book!

krohaka's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 - really awesome book