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#readaroundtheworld #SouthAfrica

She had me from the first few pages (TMI in comments) - so much going on in such a short novel. Life as a student doctor in South Africa, trying to work out the path to take against the xenophobia aimed at your flatmate, and Just So Tired. (I thought she wrote tiredness so well!) And that‘s before the horrific event takes place. It‘s written as journal entries- I found it powerful and affecting. Trigger Warnings.

This book.

I really wouldn‘t call it a page-turner, but I don‘t want to put it down.

I encourage you all to pick this up! It's written in journal form from the point of view of a young South African doctor who finds herself amidst a broken, xenophobic and corrupt Post-Apartheid society. The body and the nation are blended into one another to represent the journey of a whole generation. Short but intense!

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Late night reading before bed. Starting this one on my Kindle ✨

EDIT: Just found that most of you have posted about this book under the title "Evening Primrose" -- I'm guessing it has something to do with the UK/US publication? Both titles really clash--interesting choices.

Sietje enjoying the flowers on our walk this morning. The weather here was just lovely today! #LitsyWalkers #NationalPetDay

Just starting this one. Lots of bible quotations but the writing is good.

I read this cover to cover....fascinating and heartfelt, the stories of xenophobia and her brutal rape will be with me for awhile!! Highly recommend this.

This looked interesting....new author for me!

This book was a short read but dreadfully disturbing. A young woman in south Africa qualifies as a dr despite crippling problems with periods as a teenager. Her passion to resolve racism against non south africans in the system causes tragic repercussions. Incredibly moving and heartbreaking but well worth reading as it is an eye opener for men everywhere in these times when respect for women seems to be paid lip service only.

Between the main character, her mother and her roommate the author was able to create a microcosmic representation of South African society today. It deals with a people that is still recovering from apartheid and also has to deal with an influx of immigrants from other African nations bringing out xenophobia.

This excellent story of a newly qualified doctor in South Africa is tightly written and claustrophobic. The horror and intensity of the first person narrative reminded me a little bit of Eileen, although the protagonist here is a far more sympathetic character. I can't say much more without giving anything away but the middle section is incredibly powerful and disturbing.

A well-written, harrowing story set within the claustrophobic confines of a young black female doctor's consciousness and harried work environment as postapartheid South Africa descends into xenophobic violence. I didn't end up liking the novel, though: both the limited point of view and the gratingly overt religiosity—which overwhelmed the latter third of the novel—sapped it of most of its power.

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Photo is of Steve Biko. Good God, this novel is going to keep me awake all night!

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The photo is of one of the preeminent anti-apartheid leaders, Albertina Sisulu (1918-2011).

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Some of you may have noticed today is a mega-bail day for me. ?? So I did the Kindle preview on this one before buying it and let's just say I'm a smitten kitten! The "Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie of South Africa" is right! ❤️

A powerful depiction of a young woman's experience of xenophobia & Healthcare in modern South Africa.

She's been called 'the Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie of South Africa,' which is more than enough to get my attention, and one month from today her latest novel – which examines postapartheid xenophobia - comes out. I'm stoked!

**Reposting my review under the correct book, since it's now been added to the @Litsy database**

This book is harsh, raw and heartbreaking. It tells the story of xenophobia in South Africa in a way that is terrifying and sad.