I bought this book literally years ago but just never got around to reading it, even with all the awards it’s collected along the way – including the Booker Prize. It’s a story that has achieved much fanfare and considering that now it’s been made into a movie starring John Malkovich, I thought I best take the plunge.
It’s a short read, I knocked it over in a couple of days and have to admit my key motivation for reading it just now, was to do so before I went to see the film. It’s excellent writing and the pages flew by – I can see why it’s collected recognition along the way.
The story is a little disturbing and I’ve heard someone promoting the film on ABC 774 say that you’re not expected to like David Lurie, the protagonist. And I don’t like him which has unfortunately influenced my opinion of the book. It’s set in post apartheid Africa so there’s themes of racism and sexism throughout which I didn’t mind so much, but also there’s an underlying level of cruelty, which didn’t work for me.
I’m glad I read it, but I no longer care to see the movie adaptation.
