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Sutu (the Suit)
Paperback
Published April 28, 1999
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About the author
Can Themba
11 books21 followersDaniel Canodoce "Can" Themba (21 June 1924 – 1968) was a South African short-story writer.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 13, 2025
"The Suit," a short story by South tells the tragic tale of Philemon and his wife, Matilda, in 1950s Sophiatown. He punishes his wife with her attempt using the suit as his weapon. The suit is also symbol of Matilda’s infidelity which Philemon made her suffer by letting it as a reminder as she orders that she shall carry it all around.
In a larger scale, the story explores how power dynamics within a marriage and the oppressive conditions of apartheid can lead to abuse and destructive behavior.
In a larger scale, the story explores how power dynamics within a marriage and the oppressive conditions of apartheid can lead to abuse and destructive behavior.
May 15, 2016
*3.5*
BEST REASON TO READ THE BOOK *Character development*
AREA WITH THE MOST ISSUES FOR ME *Plot*
The world building of this book is excellent. It's set in the 1920's during South African Apartheid times. The descriptions of Sophiatown were excellent.
The characterisation in this short story was, for me personally, the most enjoyable. We see both characters develop drastically and we also see how our opinions can be swayed, and that we shouldn't judge people for what they do, but how they fix it afterwords (if they even do...)
The plot was the most problematic thing for me with this story. Even though it is very clever the way the author uses the suit to let the story unfold, if found it to be unrealistict. For me it was somewhat odd to have such a realistic setting and realistic characters and then have an unrealistic plot. The reason why I think it's unrealistic is because we are dealing with two adults, and then the character punishes the other in such an immature way?
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
Why would an adult punish another adult by using the suit of her lover that you didn't know about to punish her. It was just a bit too strange for me to make sense out of it. And then, why did Tilly have to be so embarrassed about it? Couldn't she just have come to terms with her punishment? Talked it out with Philemon.
*SPOILER SECTION DONE*
THE ENDING did redeem the sucky plot though. Really seriously thought-provoking.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REVIEW IS JUST MY OPINION AND SHOULD BY NO MEANS HOLD YOU BACK FROM READING IT TOO. PLEASE RESPECT THAT THIS IS JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION AND THIS WAS THE WAY I PERSONALLY PERCEIVED THE STORY AND ITS MESSAGES AND THEMES. THANK YOU FOR READING MY REVIEW!:)
BEST REASON TO READ THE BOOK *Character development*
AREA WITH THE MOST ISSUES FOR ME *Plot*
The world building of this book is excellent. It's set in the 1920's during South African Apartheid times. The descriptions of Sophiatown were excellent.
The characterisation in this short story was, for me personally, the most enjoyable. We see both characters develop drastically and we also see how our opinions can be swayed, and that we shouldn't judge people for what they do, but how they fix it afterwords (if they even do...)
The plot was the most problematic thing for me with this story. Even though it is very clever the way the author uses the suit to let the story unfold, if found it to be unrealistict. For me it was somewhat odd to have such a realistic setting and realistic characters and then have an unrealistic plot. The reason why I think it's unrealistic is because we are dealing with two adults, and then the character punishes the other in such an immature way?
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
Why would an adult punish another adult by using the suit of her lover that you didn't know about to punish her. It was just a bit too strange for me to make sense out of it. And then, why did Tilly have to be so embarrassed about it? Couldn't she just have come to terms with her punishment? Talked it out with Philemon.
*SPOILER SECTION DONE*
THE ENDING did redeem the sucky plot though. Really seriously thought-provoking.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REVIEW IS JUST MY OPINION AND SHOULD BY NO MEANS HOLD YOU BACK FROM READING IT TOO. PLEASE RESPECT THAT THIS IS JUST MY PERSONAL OPINION AND THIS WAS THE WAY I PERSONALLY PERCEIVED THE STORY AND ITS MESSAGES AND THEMES. THANK YOU FOR READING MY REVIEW!:)
August 21, 2024
Although it's a bit short but it's very intriguing and captivating. The end is quite sad 😔
June 26, 2025
I read the English version. I had read it in 2012 in high school in grade 11, just randomly thought of it and read it again. I think there's alot if unnecessary bombastic English words. But the storyline and the way the author describes Sophiatown and the characters is superb.
November 2, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
October 4, 2012
Although the story is very short, I must say I really enjoyed it. The story pulls you in and is very heart-breaking. A really wonderful piece of writing - I will encourage anyone to read it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews