FICTION

Sacrificed

Catalyst. Oct. 2017. 496p. tr. from Afrikaans by Else Silke. ISBN 9781946395009. pap. $16.95; ebk. ISBN 9781946395023. F
COPY ISBN
This is the first of South African Paul's 31 novels to be translated into English. The action spans 50 years, with a large cast of characters, and moves from South Africa to Belgium and back, with stops along the way in the Congo. In 1961, Ammie abandons her newborn to a foster mother, paying off Fien in stolen diamonds. Ammie, fearing that the baby's father is her thoroughly evil husband, wants nothing more to do with the child. Caz grows up and gives birth to Lilah, whose skin is dark even though both of her parents are white. Twenty years later, Caz is called to Belgium, where a dying Fien wants to talk about Caz's birth mother. Meanwhile, two Congolese men are shadowing her; a professor is fixated on her. There are complicated reasons for why all this happens, but it all ends in the chance of love for Caz.
VERDICT Despite its exploration of South Africa's racial issues, this convoluted romantic mystery thriller takes too long to get to the point, with too many brief chapters changing focus and adding little to the plot development. Be prepared for a slow read.
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.


RELATED 

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?