‘Mummy says that girls need to be careful with what they eat.’ ‘All human beings need to be careful with what they eat,’ said Brenda, working to keep her voice pleasant. ‘Why just the other day I met a little boy who had eaten an arum lily stem. That was not a good idea. So don’t eat the arum lilies.’
Page 195
In a nutshell
An athletic scholarship opens Brenda Critchley’s world up to opportunities she never would have gotten from her working class background. It also opens her up to Denver and a friendship so toxic, nothing good can come of it. And yet, through high school, university, marriage and kids, Brenda can’t seem to get rid of Denver – until Denver’s presence in her life threatens Brenda’s entire family.
Book Club Notes
This book was everything I expected from a Gail Schimmel novel – a little dark, a lot dramatic and packed with the privilege and wealth of Joburg’s leafiest suburbs. No one does South Africa suburbian drama like Schimmel which makes for the type of novel you can knock back over a weekend. I particularly enjoyed her Comrades references – having done it and been in that world for years, reading a novel that includes IFYKYK tidbits adds to the enjoyment of reading. Especially when so many novels are set in places you don’t know – that familiarity is a welcome treat. It’s easy reading with enough drama to keep you on your toes – and just when you think you’ve got the ending nailed down she delivers one last wicked twist.
Read If
You enjoy the drama that only monied suburbia can bring – think shows like Desperate Housewives and the O.C.
Rating
Writing – 8/10
Character Development – 7/10
Plot Twist – 7/10
Shareability – 8/10
The Nitty Gritty
Similar Reads
A note on our book ratings
Storyline: How good is the storyline? Is it believable and complex or does it make you shake your head in its ridiculousness?
Writing: How well written is the book? Do you find yourself wowed by the writing or unimpressed?
Character Development: Do the characters evolve and grow through the book and are they multi-dimensional?
Plot Twist: Were you able to predict the end, or did the author give you some surprises along the way to keep you on your toes?
Shareability: How likely are you to share the book?
