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Awix (3310 KP) rated Zulu (1964) in Movies
Mar 2, 2018 (Updated Mar 2, 2018)
Politically somewhat problematic tale of stoic imperial soldiers blasting the hell out of disgruntled African tribesmen isn't quite as bad as it sounds, also made a star out of Michael Caine. Based on the true story of the battle of Rorke's Drift in 1879, at which 150 British soldiers fought several thousand Zulu warriors to a standstill.
Made at the time as a piece of aren't-we-great jingoism, Zulu still stands up well as a stirring war movie and a story of men finding common ground under pressure. Good performances from Caine and Stanley Baker (who was the actual star at the time). Many memorable moments, too, such as the sing-off between the two armies. The Zulus are actually treated with respect, as shrewd and honourable fighters. Chief Buthelezi (later a minister in the South African government of Nelson Mandela) plays his own great-grandfather.
Made at the time as a piece of aren't-we-great jingoism, Zulu still stands up well as a stirring war movie and a story of men finding common ground under pressure. Good performances from Caine and Stanley Baker (who was the actual star at the time). Many memorable moments, too, such as the sing-off between the two armies. The Zulus are actually treated with respect, as shrewd and honourable fighters. Chief Buthelezi (later a minister in the South African government of Nelson Mandela) plays his own great-grandfather.
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood in Books
Nov 30, 2020
As it states in my profile on here, I will read non-fiction, but it really depends on the subject matter. My usual reading go-to is fiction. I like the distraction, the "virtual escape" it provides from Life now and again. Trevor Noah's recollections of growing up in South Africa was definitely the non-fiction I did not know I was seeking.
I am turned 50 last November. I can remember Ronald Reagan's presidency in the 80s. I can also remember hearing about apartheid, and later, Nelson Mandela in the news at the time, thinking it quite bad, but not really knowing/understanding the fullest extent to just how bad it truly was. Through Trevor's stories, I truly what apartheid was and the horrible conditions non-white people were forced to live under.
The stories are presented in such way as to be insightful, but to also, at times, to be fun or amusing or even serious. We learn the meaning behind to the book's title, BORN A CRIME, and what that means for Trevor's life growing up in both apartheid/post-apartheid South Africa.
Profoundly eye-opening! It should definitely be <b>required reading</b> in high school! Jus' sayin'..
I am turned 50 last November. I can remember Ronald Reagan's presidency in the 80s. I can also remember hearing about apartheid, and later, Nelson Mandela in the news at the time, thinking it quite bad, but not really knowing/understanding the fullest extent to just how bad it truly was. Through Trevor's stories, I truly what apartheid was and the horrible conditions non-white people were forced to live under.
The stories are presented in such way as to be insightful, but to also, at times, to be fun or amusing or even serious. We learn the meaning behind to the book's title, BORN A CRIME, and what that means for Trevor's life growing up in both apartheid/post-apartheid South Africa.
Profoundly eye-opening! It should definitely be <b>required reading</b> in high school! Jus' sayin'..
ClareR (5561 KP) rated The Promise in Books
Oct 12, 2021
The Promise is on the Booker Prize 2021 shortlist, and I can see why. I enjoyed this book immensely - I love the idea of being a fly on the wall of a white South Africans house during and after Apartheid, and this pretty much sold the book to me before I even started reading it. The fact that we only drop in to the lives of this family during times of death and the subsequent funerals was a really interesting angle to take. These were people under a great deal of stress due to the fact that someone in their close family had died - even though they weren’t a close family at all. There are four funerals, each completely different in style, religion (or not) and ways in which they died.
As time moves on, Apartheid ends, Nelson Mandela becomes President. But does life change that much for the Swarts? Do they uphold the promise made at the beginning of the book, as overheard by the youngest daughter when her mother was dying? Laws may change, but do people’s attitudes?
This is a disjointed family: there doesn’t seem to be a single close relationship between any of them. They all seem to be selfish people who resent the new South Africa, as they lose social standing, money, and are directly affected by the rise in crime.
It was a thoroughly engrossing book, and I lost myself in it every time I sat down to read. It’s a really good, character-driven novel. Now to wait and see if it wins!!
As time moves on, Apartheid ends, Nelson Mandela becomes President. But does life change that much for the Swarts? Do they uphold the promise made at the beginning of the book, as overheard by the youngest daughter when her mother was dying? Laws may change, but do people’s attitudes?
This is a disjointed family: there doesn’t seem to be a single close relationship between any of them. They all seem to be selfish people who resent the new South Africa, as they lose social standing, money, and are directly affected by the rise in crime.
It was a thoroughly engrossing book, and I lost myself in it every time I sat down to read. It’s a really good, character-driven novel. Now to wait and see if it wins!!