Carla's Reviews > Absolution

I had to force myself to give this book 100 pages before I let myself give up on it. The beginning was very jumbly and confusing - which I think the author meant to use as a technique to give the reader a feel for the multiple angles and confusion caused by trying to figure things out in hindsight, as well as from multiple points of view. It took that 100 pages for me to really sink into the groove of the story, to understand the perspectives and to care about the characters. I'm glad I read it, but it wasn't easy!

As for the story - it's a compelling look at the difficult decisions that people are forced to make when society has created a monster such as apartheid. Themes like courage, honesty, freedom and intellectual curiosity are explored within the context of post-apartheid South Africa.