Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
202nd out of 674 books
—
519 voters
Coconut
Debut novel about growing up black in white suburbs, where the cost of fitting in can be your very identity. Redefining what it means to be young, black and beautiful in the the New South Africa. Winner of the European Union Literary Award.
Paperback, 190 pages
Published
2007
by Jacana Media
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
414)
Kopano dared to talk about how us, the post apartheid black people of South Africa perceive what is important and what is not, in order for us to survive and prosper. Sadly but true, the repressive colonial and apartheid systems we've been under made us regard our languages and everything African as inferior. We are black but propagate the European agenda and dreams for our own lives and those of our children.
Nonetheless life will forever remind a person who she is, through the frustrations and...more
Nonetheless life will forever remind a person who she is, through the frustrations and...more
An excellent but disturbing look at the lives of two black girls living in post aparteid South Africa. One has the support of family and money whilst the other has neither. Both girls have dreams about making it in the world but to achieve those dreams there is an underlying pressure to fit in, to conform, to assimilate into the culture that gives the most opportunities, the white culture. They aspire to be accepted into white society and reap the benefits. The tension it creates while challengi...more
The author doesn't hold back with the punches.
The characters are full of faults and humanity. Neither woman is easy to like. But their stories are gripping.
I am not sure if the author has a solution. But with her two main characters, the author has drawn a masterful portrait of the problems and pitfalls that face the emerging South African middle-class (or those striving for it) in the New South Africa.
This isn't an issue that is unique to South Africa. Immigrants to the US struggle with cult...more
The characters are full of faults and humanity. Neither woman is easy to like. But their stories are gripping.
I am not sure if the author has a solution. But with her two main characters, the author has drawn a masterful portrait of the problems and pitfalls that face the emerging South African middle-class (or those striving for it) in the New South Africa.
This isn't an issue that is unique to South Africa. Immigrants to the US struggle with cult...more
Are You Getting White With Me?
(Rediscovery Blog – Leg IX – Cracking the Coconut with Dr. Matlwa)
Dear Kopano,
You are roughly half my age, yet somehow you have written a book that is unnervingly “mature” in its dissection of a theme that, in my opinion, is the placenta that feeds many of the world’s great novels – the quest for identity and autonomy.
To be quite honest, I was expecting African chicklit. Fortunately, you gave me a whole lot more. The purpose of my Voyage of Rediscovery is to broade...more
(Rediscovery Blog – Leg IX – Cracking the Coconut with Dr. Matlwa)
Dear Kopano,
You are roughly half my age, yet somehow you have written a book that is unnervingly “mature” in its dissection of a theme that, in my opinion, is the placenta that feeds many of the world’s great novels – the quest for identity and autonomy.
To be quite honest, I was expecting African chicklit. Fortunately, you gave me a whole lot more. The purpose of my Voyage of Rediscovery is to broade...more
Having been called a 'coconut' all my life, this book caught my attention immediately. It captured the dual world influence that young Black South African's brought up in the suburbs and exposed to Westernised settings (like my self) experience. It is, in my opinion, so culturally and socially relevant!(and well-written) I was just upset I hadn't written it first lol!Her writing carries a lot of depth and insight.
What a significant book for modern day South Africa.
It explores the attitudes of black South African girls (in cities) towards their skin colour, language and culture.
It terrified me.
The negativity and lack of self-acceptance is chilling, and the pain of the characters incredibly sad.
Writing style was very neat and easy to read.
I wish everyone would read this book.
It explores the attitudes of black South African girls (in cities) towards their skin colour, language and culture.
It terrified me.
The negativity and lack of self-acceptance is chilling, and the pain of the characters incredibly sad.
Writing style was very neat and easy to read.
I wish everyone would read this book.
While Coconut goes far in exposing the issues of identity that young black people struggle with in the post-apartheid South Africa, I found that the novel rather seemed like a haphazard collection of thoughts and anecdotes, lacking a plot and tension. For my full review, visit my my blog
Just superb. This book is an amazing insight into the thoughts of two young black girls in the New South Africa, one living the privileged life and trying to ignore her cultural heritage, and one living, with loathing and shame, in one of the townships. It's too much to talk about; it must be read. Lyrical, wonderful first novel, and a worthy European Union winner.
May 13, 2013
Smangele Belebesi
added it
Good enough attempt for her first book. Not terrible but not the best thing I've read.I guess I kind of identify with some of her struggles but not all. Would have to read more of her work to figure out what kind of writer she is. Quick, easy read it in one day
It's probably helpful to have some first-hand familarity or at least some background on race and class relations in South Africa to fully comprehend what transpires in this book. That said, the dialogues, the narrative on losing culture and language, on how upward mobility is defined, is all quite fascinating. Initially, the writing style threw me -- it really seems like stream of consciousness with the ever changing narrator and font style. But I eventually followed, or maybe part II was just s...more
Brilliant book about the dilemmas of black girls in S.A. raised into being 'rich white girls'. Very different and unique story. Based on true incidents it seems.
I could almost totally relate to this book. But i felt like there was no real story. Like it was just flashbacks, with no tension involved.
The book tackels the challenges faced by young black women in South Africa and Kopano captures that beautifully.
A well balanced story of two girls/ young woman wrapped-up in a sunday morning breakfast. Though the writing leaves a little to wish for, the storytelling is well worth the trouble.I shall look forward to a next novel of Kopano Matlwa
Interesting although the narrators seemed all over the place.
Dragged abit, but i enjoyed it. not one of my favourites though.
Quick and easy read, even in the uncomfortable parts. This is the story of two very different young girls growing up in the 'new' South Africa that is beautifully written and executed. Definitely a keeper.
Quite good, maybe I didnt get it
This is a good book for young women of any culture to read to discover how a couple of their sisters are growing up in South Africa. It is a fresh and engaging first novel.
We have talented authors in SA.
Doesn't go anywhere
[3.5 stars]
Aug 31, 2010
Khayakazi Xanga
added it
intriguing
I quite enjoyed this book. It's very simply written and contains the perspectives of two main characters: one a wealthy black school girl growing up in JHB and the other a coloured girl aspiring to move out of the location. I found it a very interesting commentary and challenge on the way Western society is influencing modern-day persons of colour.
Another find, this time in a bookstore on the Victoria Waterfront. I'm only on the first few pages but I think I'm gonna like it. It reminds me of some of the teen fiction I've read that I liked.
Really interesting, pertinent book, that offers a different view of the life of the black South African youth who go to the model c schools and speak the model c english. Refreshing!
Full of insights. Bears rereading. Too sophisticated for my township kids, but then they aren't the ones who struggle with the issues of suburbia.
Got a bit lost at times with the jumpy plot. There were some interesting insights.
Jun 17, 2013
Natalie Rae Denton
added it
Jun 11, 2013
Keke
added it
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Podcast with Kopano Matlwa by Victor Dlamini (May 5th, 2008)
http://victordlamini.book.co.za/blog/...
More about Kopano Matlwa...
http://victordlamini.book.co.za/blog/...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Nov 04, 2010 01:21am