3 posts tagged “review”
THE GRASS IS SINGING
or how to start reading a book with, let's say ...little interest (since we knew from the beginning someone was dead), and how to
.
end up getting involved to the point I felt like reading it again, once I had finished it.
Mary is one among many themes in this book.
one can't remain indifferent to this girl.
one pities her to start with, may admire her when she manages to reach a higher social level, but
almost despies her when she sticks to the "young girls' club"
In doing so she appears like an immature person she proved to be once she got married
pity and contempt are the main feelings and I must admit more than once I felt like shaking her to bring her back to reality and humanity. the book is based and built on dualism : masters and servants, black and white, rich and poor, heat and rain, heavy light of sun (shade) and bright light (early morning towards her death).
fascinating book and writer !!!
Nicole
Serendipity played its part, when Anne, Jacques, Katheline and I discussed the making of our group, less than nine months ago .
Serendipity played its part when it came to the interesting people we were to encounter, thanks to Anne's original idea.
Alain has posted his review on The Grass is Singing, I think he sums the novel up rather well. By the way, he isn't fuddy duddy, not in the least...lol
Please make way for Alain
« The grass is singing » by Doris Lessing This short novel appealed to me by its large and rich content. It’s amazing how Doris Lessing has been able to treat so many subjects in very few pages. Description of Southern Africa, around 1940s, (she knows so well because she grew up there) is so accurate that climate, oppressive heat, obsessive cicadas, light, colours, smells surround us chapters after chapters. Documentary. British society, its rules, rich whites and poor whites, bad treatments inflicted to the natives, their living and working conditions are objectively described, we can see that the condition of poor whites is not much better than black’s. Society judgment. Characters, their relationships are very interesting as well secondary as major figures. Dick and Mary totally opposite, he hates town, she hates living out of a town, why they marry and what results of it. He is weak, incompetent; she becomes more and more disappointed, then depresses and goes mad with poverty, loneliness and lack of hope. Psychological analysis. Trouble relation between Mary and Moses is another topic of the book. This white woman in Africa, afraid by the natives, disgusted by them, their smell, their laziness… will be attracted by Moses, an intelligent, educated black houseboy who despites her but at the same time is nice and attentive with her when she is ill. Maybe he will kill her because he doesn’t support she is going to leave. Moreover he won’t escape after the murder he won’t live anymore. A love story. To sum up, this book is well written, the plot is gripping, the way the author begins by the end, everything is done in order the reader falls under the charm, so much so that when you finish the book you would like to read it anew. Alain
Maria Ledoux's feelings about the first book
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is somewhat entrancing. For example the main character herself, is very human in her uncertainties and doubts and has a background and skills quite unlike any other fictional detective.
The author's lively prose and his understated but effective humour draws you into the story, however one is left with a feeling of disappointment, wanting more depth. He tends to leave things unfinished, leading one to feel exasperated.
On a positive note, the descriptions of Africa gives us a real insight into what Africa is real like geographically and in day to day life, from villages to witchcraft and crocodiles et cetera , and the rhythms of ordinary Botswanan life.
On a whole the book is a light read, to be enjoyed at any particular moment, but for me at least, I don't feel spurred on to read another one of the series.
I give this book 5/10
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