The Promise – Damon Galgut

READ FOR BOOKERTHON

The lives and deaths of a white South African family, and a promise made to their black housekeeper

⫸ “When Rachel, a 40-year-old white South African dies in 1986, her country is transitioning out of apartheid. The subsequent decline of the family after Rachel’s death parallels the history of South Africa, a common feature of Galgut’s writing.

“The eponymous promise is one made to the family’s black maid, that she shall be given the deeds to the house she occupies. Yet it goes unfulfilled and the karma of that seems to be the death of one family member per chapter.”

Trouble in all the townships, it’s being muttered about everywhere, even with a State of Emergency hanging over the land like a dark cloud and the news under censorship and the mood all over a bit of electrified, a bit alarmed, there is no silencing the voices that talk away under everything, like the think crackle of static.

⫸ “The life of each family member is highly detailed in The Promise, drawing you in, before culminating in their untimely death. And every family member’s life is a page turner, enhanced by the plot line of the younger sister Amor who is attempting to right the wrong of the unfulfilled promise.

“It’s a somber book but beautiful and captivating and poignant at the same time. I was heavily invested in the lives of the family members and felt like I learned I little bit more about South Africa’s history too. I would recommend this book to everyone, very accessible as well as well-constructed and -presented.” – Rachel

⫸ “I loved this book and as a reader it felt a bit like I was living through history alongside the characters. I found the ongoing demise of Swart family grim but satisfying. There was nothing redemptive in any family member’s actions, with even the ‘good’ character’s behaviour left lacking. I’m four books in with my Booker reading and this is the standout for me so far.” – Suzy

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Published 2021
Chatto & Windus
304 pages