If You Want to Make God Laugh
Ratings3
Average rating5
15
Ratings3
Average rating5
From the author of the beloved Hum If You Don't Know the Words comes a rich, unforgettable story of three unique women in post-Apartheid South Africa who are brought together in their darkest time and discover the ways that love can transcend the strictest of boundaries. In a squatter camp on the outskirts of Johannesburg, seventeen-year-old Zodwa lives in desperate poverty, under the shadowy threat of a civil war and a growing AIDS epidemic. Eight months pregnant, Zodwa carefully guards secrets that jeopardize her life. Across the country, wealthy socialite Ruth appears to have everything her heart desires, but it's what she can't have that leads to her breakdown. Meanwhile, in Zaire, a disgraced former nun, Delilah, grapples with a past that refuses to stay buried. When these personal crises send both middle-aged women back to their rural hometown to heal, the discovery of an abandoned newborn baby upends everything, challenging their lifelong beliefs about race, motherhood, and the power of the past. As the mystery surrounding the infant grows, the complicated lives of Zodwa, Ruth, and Delilah become inextricably linked. What follows is a mesmerizing look at family and identity that asks: How far will the human heart go to protect itself and the ones it loves?
Reviews with the most likes.
What a wonderful book. I was fully transported not only to South Africa but to the lives of the three main characters. The multiple points of view in this novel were handled with deft skill, and every sentence was well crafted and to the point. The writing and tight plot propelled me through this book in record time, and I kept thinking about it for weeks after finishing. Bianca Marais‘ exploration of the themes of race, sexual abuse, grief, and family was both insightful and fascinating. I originally discovered this book after binge-listening to the authors podcast, The Shit No One Tells You About Writing, and I was very happy that her writing did not let me down. If there weren't so many other books on my To Read list, I would be tempted to re-read this book just to take notes on the craft of writing and book structure. I will definitely be reading her previous book. Hum If You Don't Know the Words, as soon as possible.
