nicolejlevy's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
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
2.0
margardenlady's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
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? No
4.5
Powerful debut novel about a single family's disruption by the Immorality laws passed in 1920s South Africa. We meet Abram and Alisa, who have met and married and settled in South Africa near the end of WWI, each has the opportunity to tell his/her story, and as in all family matters, it is the effect on the children that is most poignant. The writing was lyrical, sensitive and pulled me right along throughout the book. Manenzhe will be a writer to watch in coming years.
jdorety's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zoenelson's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief, Slavery, Racism, and Mental illness
azu_rikka's review
4.0
3.75☆
Beautifully craftet story featuring the inhabitants of South Africa: black natives, descendants of the slaves, (the Cape Malays), white settlers and indians. I liked the way the author narrated stories of the different cultures, reflected on history, belonging, relationships and mental health.
Beautifully craftet story featuring the inhabitants of South Africa: black natives, descendants of the slaves, (the Cape Malays), white settlers and indians. I liked the way the author narrated stories of the different cultures, reflected on history, belonging, relationships and mental health.
miraa's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
rehelwig's review
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.5
This book will stay with me. The innocence of childhood, the depth of depression, and the generational trauma we carry are not easy topics to explore.
memmaj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
An absolutely gorgeous book, it ripped my heart open so many times. Read like poetry
texashuneyb's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
cupidcove's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
There were elements of this book that I liked, especially getting insight into a period of history I hadn't read much about up to this point. I think the inclusion of the journal entries was vital because the perspective of a white man who, while his wife did something terrible, refuses to acknowledge how the system around her failed her and her children, was incredibly grating. I think this book is worth a read for its insight, but the structure seemed to work against the message of it.