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annapurchase's review against another edition
4.0
As a South African, wonderful storytelling of my history. Loved the repetition of the phrase 'Ah, But your land is beautiful'. However it was a bit jumpy between the conversations, letters and narration.
cmbohn's review against another edition
5.0
A brilliant book by the writer of 'Cry, the Beloved Country.' This one is told from varying viewpoints, sometimes as letters, sometimes as conversation, sometimes as newspaper reports, and from all sorts of narrator. There's the "Proud Christian Woman" who writes nasty letters to anyone she disapproves of. There's the Afrikaner civil servant who stick to the party line as long as possible. There's the Indian family whose daughter is making a stand against discrimination which will certainly end in violence.
I knew almost nothing about South African history before I read this book, but I found myself swept up in the story and the emotion. Compelling storytelling and a heartbreaking setting make this one of my top reads for the year.
CMB
I knew almost nothing about South African history before I read this book, but I found myself swept up in the story and the emotion. Compelling storytelling and a heartbreaking setting make this one of my top reads for the year.
CMB
renae24's review
4.0
This is a powerful book about the beginning/emerging of apartheid in South Africa. It takes various viewpoints of people on both sides of the issue. Read it
absolutive's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
annapurchase's review
4.0
As a South African, wonderful storytelling of my history. Loved the repetition of the phrase 'Ah, But your land is beautiful'. However it was a bit jumpy between the conversations, letters and narration.
tobyisacorgi's review
3.0
I struggled to remember names and keep events straight but Paton’s impressionistic style of writing was sad and beautiful. Makes me want to read a more straightforward biography/history of this time in South African history.
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