Coconut is a story that deals with growing up as a black child in a white world. It is the story of black youth who grow up in white neighbourhoods, go to private schools and have white friends. As is the case with any child, all that these children want is to grow, to be loved; but most importantly, to fit in. Fitting in, however, comes at the cost of one's blackness - too white for black, and too black for white.
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By neema bell
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is an incredibly insightful book, and rightfully won the European Book award in 2007. Matlwa narrates the experiences of two young women growing up in post apartheid south africa. One is wealthy, highly educated, but dismissed by friends and society. The other is poor, uneducated and lamentably idealistic. Only one ordinary day passes in the novel, yet in this time the women experience enough slights to prompt recollections of the generations of oppression and isolation which have beset black South Africans. Both of their futures are also uncertain. In the face of racism and family breakdown, it is not clear that either woman will be able to reach her full potential.
It is not fair to describe this simply as a "sassy" or "light" read. The book is indeed short, and often amusing. Yet this is in the context of some very weighty themes. The marginalisation of the two main characters from their own lives is striking. The narratives of brothers, white fashion models and employers take frequently precedence over the views of the women themselves. Matlwa's also makes careful use of structure to bring out parallels between the lives of white and black, rich and poor. Her delicate portrayals of white south africans suggests that despite their relative power, the atomisation of south african society leaves them equally confused and estranged.
Overall, a jarring and enjoyable read.
It is not fair to describe this simply as a "sassy" or "light" read. The book is indeed short, and often amusing. Yet this is in the context of some very weighty themes. The marginalisation of the two main characters from their own lives is striking. The narratives of brothers, white fashion models and employers take frequently precedence over the views of the women themselves. Matlwa's also makes careful use of structure to bring out parallels between the lives of white and black, rich and poor. Her delicate portrayals of white south africans suggests that despite their relative power, the atomisation of south african society leaves them equally confused and estranged.
Overall, a jarring and enjoyable read.
By Kinga
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book shows South Africa's life from a different perspective. It is easy to read, but it is not great literature.
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Coconut tells the story of black people trying to get by in what were once exclusively white South African neighrourhoods. The two principal characters are smart and sassy. It is a light read tackling very complex issues. I recommend it for anyone seeking to understand contemporary south african society
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