Musings of a South African Bookworm

sharing my love of books with a special focus on SA literature

Aug 30

My opinion on Fifty Shades

by musingsofasouthafricanbookworm

So, I read them, yes, the entire series and these are my thoughts:

The whole series reminded me of a Mills and Boon romance novel. Full of steamy s*x, a tall, dark and handsome man and a young woman who has met her ‘soul mate’. I have a couple of theories as to why many women loved it and why it has been likened to ‘mommy porn’.

Theory One

There is alot of s*x, and I think most women either don’t have enough or want more amorous adventures with their significant other. I think it explores fantasies that some women may loath to admit that they even think about. I also think that that particular brand of s*x has been taken ‘out of the closet’ for many women who may know that it does exist, but details it in more depth and almost makes it lose its ‘stigma’.

Theory two

I was discussing this particular thought with my partner, and he managed to put it better than I did, but I will try to get it across neatly… Many people are control freaks (men and women) and in their work lives have to be incredibly controlling in order to function in their high powered positions. This is one aspect that they do not need to control, having a dominant command them to do particular things. It is their way of ‘letting go’ of their control for a while.  This aspect would also appeal to women, especially mothers, because on a daily basis they need to be in control of their work, home and children and the fantasy of having someone take over-even if only in the sexual department, allows them to ‘let go’.

Of course, I could be completely wrong but this is just my opinion from reading the books.

The pros of the series for me was:

Even though Ana liked adventuring into Grey’s world, she was still a strong enough character to stay ‘herself’ when she could so easily have  become a sub and become completely enamoured with the whole lifestyle. I like how she sticks to her guns for some things and yet allows herself to experiment in things that clearly she has become to enjoy.

One of my favourites throughout the series was Ana’s ‘Inner Goddes’ I thought that was probably the funniest and most apt descriptions the entire series had.

I quite enjoyed the actual story line, when it was being told in between all the s*x.

The Cons far outweigh the pros😉

There was faaar to much s*x, but I understand why.

Ana is pretty annoying in her constant ‘oh my’s’ and how Grey’s eyes burn and whadawhadawhada, *yawn*

The ending of the series was too happy- call me cynical, but I really doubt that in real life it would of ended that way- again, Mills and Boon.

The writing really is terrible, and I have to admit to skim reading through at least the second half of the first book and the first half of the third book. Book two was the best of the lot, which is saying a lot considering they were all pretty dreadful.

So, why did I read them? I think its similar to the Twilight series, you just have to! Would I recommend anyone to read them? No, I wouldn’t!

I know what some of you thought of it, but what about the rest of you? Do you agree with any thing I have said?

(and for a particularly hilarious review of the first book go here but beware of Strong language!- Don’t say I didn’t warn you…)

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Aug 19

Spud – the series

by musingsofasouthafricanbookworm



If you haven’t yet heard of the Spud books, never mind read them, then you are missing out on a seriously funny series.

If you were like me, thinking, nah, the series isn’t for me, I am not really interested in a ‘boys boarding school’ book then you would be (mostly) wrong.

If you have seen the movie but haven’t read the book,then do yourself a favor and read the book (at least the first one, which will get you hooked and you will then have to read the next three)

If you don’t believe me, ask your friends if they have read it…!

I thoroughly enjoyed these books, but really only got into them when a friend of mine had borrowed her brothers copy, read it and then passed it onto me as I really thought I wouldn’t enjoy it. I could not put it down, and then went and found the second one from the library and bought the third and fourth one. Luckily for me, I only read them all a few months ago, so I didn’t have too long a wait for the final installment, which was great for me, not so great for everyone else who has been waiting with eager anticipation for the final book. Which let me tell you, does not disappoint!

The Lowdown of Spud:

It’s South Africa, 1990. The country still squirms under the iron fist of apartheid. Two major events are about to happen: The release of Nelson Mandela, and more importantly, it’s Spud Milton’s first year at an elite boys only private boarding school. Cursed with parents from well beyond the lunatic fringe, a senile granny, and a dormitory full of strange characters, Spud has to forge a new life for himself in this foreign and sometimes hostile environment. Surrounded by names such as Gecko, Rambo, Rain Man and Mad Dog, Spud takes his first tentative steps along the path towards manhood. (The path, it seems, could be a rather long road.) Armed with only his wits and his diary, Spud takes us from illegal nightswimming to the cricket field, from ghostbusting to teacher baiting. He also invites us into the mind of a boy struggling to come to terms with a strange new world; a boy whose eyes are being opened to love, friendship and complete insanity.

And thats just the first one…. Truly is a delightful series of books, moving and funny, well, hilarious in parts, and completely true to life, loved it!

So, go on then, have you read it?Or even watched the movie? I haven’t seen the movie, but have put it on my TBW list…

And if you have read them, have you perused John van der Ruit’s blog? Go here if you haven’t, quite delightful!

 

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Aug 15

Book review and Launch date of Die Pes – Albert Camus

by musingsofasouthafricanbookworm

Review sent in by Eleonore Godfroy.

For Afrikaans Albert Camus fans, check this out!

“Die Pes” (“The Plague”), one of the most successful novels of Nobel Prize winner Albert Camus, has just been translated into Afrikaans. A masterpiece of 20th Century literature, the text was translated by Piet de Jager and published by Protea Boekhuis. This initiative is supported by the French embassy in South Africa and the French institute (“Institut français”) in Paris, with the aim to promote linguistic diversity and access to French literature.


First published in the aftermath of World War II, “The Plague” chronicles the sweeping of Oran, a city of then French Algeria, by the disease. The inhabitants of the city try to find a response, some showing great courage while others endeavour to escape. The text is often read as a metaphor for the various reactions to the brutal occupation of France by the Nazis.

Despite Camus’ objection to the label, “The Plague” is considered as a classic of existentialist literature, where the irrationality of life sweeps individual ambitions and the “absurd” ultimately triumphs. “The Plague” aims to illustrate how the world ultimately deals with the notion of the “absurd”, that is the conflict between the human tendency to seek a meaning in life and the impossibility to ultimately find any. Camus further extended this thinking in “The Rebel”, a philosophical essay published a few years after “The Plague”.

The Book launch of “Dies Pes” by Albert Camus will take place at Alliance française of Johannesburg, 17 Kerry Road, Cnr Lower Park Drive, Parkview, on Saturday 18 August at 11.00am in presence of the translator Piet De Jager.

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Aug 12

Clearly I have had time to read lately…

by musingsofasouthafricanbookworm

Jane Green – The Patchwork Marriage

I adore Jane Green’s books. Truly. I like her style of writing, I like how she always writes about life and they are always readable. But I have to say, that this was not my favorite of hers. Maybe its because I can’t really relate to the issues in this book, maybe its because I get seriously irritated with characters who moan and complain, maybe because I couldn’t relate to the ‘teenage’ character who was just so angry. (Give me a few years and I may have to change my statement there…)It was an interesting read, from a vantage point of not relating to the issue, and it did have a happy ending which showed maturing of the teenage character and strength from the father which you don’t see a whole lot of till the end of the book. What I did relate to , was how one changes as one grows older and the wisdom to make the right decisions, how ones perceptions of a situation is always different to someone else in the same situation and that in order for a relationship to survive there needs to be communication. All in all a good and interesting read.

Franz Wisner – Honeymoon with my brother

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! A memoir about Franz who was jilted almost at the altar (five days before hand) and how with the support from family and friends decided to go ahead with the wedding anyway. And then, goes on honeymoon with his brother, which turned into a two year travel the world honeymoon. It was awesome to read. If you enjoy travel books with a heart, this is definitely one to go for. I read it in two days, I didn’t want to put it down!

And I have just discovered his second book ‘How the world makes love’…When you’ve been jilted at the altar and forced to take your pre-paid honeymoon with your brother, it’s fair to say you could learn a thing or two about love. And that’s what Franz Wisner sets out to do—traveling the globe with a mission: to discover the planet’s most important love lessons and see if they can rescue him from the ruins of his own love life. Even after months on the road, he’s still not sure he’s found the secret. But a disastrous date with a Los Angeles actress and single mom keeps popping into Franz’s head. While researching ideal love, could he have missed a bigger truth: that something unplanned and implausible could actually make him happy?

Guess where I am going on Monday?? Exclusive Books…

James Patterson and Hal Friedman- Torn Apart

This was a heartbreaking but beautiful read. A true story about a little boy and his journey together with his family in trying to manage, understand, deal and live with Tourettes, OCD and anxiety disorder. One morning at the age of five he wakes up and his world changes. This is his story. Awesome to read, humbling and yet so full of hope. To read another review sent in go here.

So, what have you been reading lately? I have one book left to read in my pile then its off to the library (And Exclusives…maybe…) so some recommendations will be welcome!!

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Aug 7

Reviews of what I have been reading lately…

by musingsofasouthafricanbookworm

The Glass Castle -Jeanette Walls

This was recommended for me to read via The Book Club Blog’s Facebook wall, so on my previous library visit, I remembered to look for it. I found this book a strangely satisfying read. It was horrifying in some parts, and amazing in others. It really made me realise the depth of spirit and tenacity that children have in order to deal with their circumstances growing up. Though it saddened me terribly, even though I do understand the parents views- I may not agree, that parents could not give up the ‘ideal’ in order to feed and clothe their children. I would recommend any one to read this book as it either resonates with you, or will make you realise what a wonderful upbringing you actually had.

One Day – David Nicolls

I kept seeing this book at Exclusive Books on the To Read shelf but didn’t want to buy it. Luckily I found it at the library when I found The Glass Castle. I did enjoy this book in some respects but in a way I found that it actually just emphasised  the futility of growing up. I know, that is a rather pessimistic thing to say about life, never mind a book, but after reading through almost twenty years of two peoples lives, their ups and downs, their silly mistakes, the stuck in the rut feeling that they experienced and when I got to the end, I was rather disappointed.  I know it has been made into a movie, but I haven’t watched it so I don’t know how it compares to the book. They probably put a romantic spin on the whole thing! I thought it was a good look at life and how one can live with fear of change, of not knowing where you are going in life and the absolute beauty of friendship, but the sadness of an unfulfilled love. What did you think?

The Hypnotist – Lars Keplar

I needed something to read at the airport a couple of weekends ago, arrived a good couple of hours early for my flight And then it was delayed! Found this in CNA and had recalled it being likened to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I thoroughly enjoyed that so thought I would try it, even though I am not usually a crime reader. It took me a while to read as I only read crime novels in the day time, I tend to have nightmares! Yes, if I read disturbing things before bed time… but I enjoyed it. It had a good story line, full of twists and turns and thinking it was one person while really being someone else for some completely obscure reason which you only realise at the end, now isn’t that what crime novels are meant to be about? I enjoyed the suspense of the novel, the characters were interesting and my favorite was, of course, the hypnotist and his story, which only gets told about half way through the book. Fascinating and enjoyable. If you are a crime novel reader, give this one a go and even if you are not, it is interesting enough to keep you intrigued right to the very end!

Fifty Shades of Grey – EL James

The Fifty Shades series have been likened to ‘Mommy Porn’, wish I had known that before I picked up the first one! Not that I have  anything against erotica but I really was Not expecting what was in this book! What did I think? Well, I thought the writing was terrible and the constant mooniness of Ana just irritated me, but I did enjoy the story. I also found it fascinating how many women thoroughly enjoyed these books!

Fifty Shades Darker – EL James

I enjoyed this one a whole lot more than the first book. The story line had more substance and actually kept me intrigued throughout the book. Again, I can’t say it is the most wonderful writing and again, Ana is annoying in her constant verbalising on how Greys’ eyes simmer and heat and shine and oh oh oh… you get my drift. I did find it interesting how Ana does explore her darker sexual side as she gets further into the relationship and dare I say it but I think a fair amount of woman would be keen to have a Grey to explore such things with. Will I read the third one, of course, otherwise I will just be left hanging…scuze the pun!

So, what have you been reading lately?

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