Member Reviews

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  • Rated 3 stars

  “The lack of punctuation in this book is irritating and it's extremely difficult at times to know who is saying what which is a real shame because I just loved the tone but it was such hard work. Why? The only way I can describe reading it is to imagine trying to look at something out of the corner of your eye, knowing what you see but never quite capturing its image. The story tells of a white South African millionaire who profits from the status quo and although he can see the inequality and injustice of Apartheid, it doesn't infringe on his life or conscience. I read him as a failed human being not only in the wider political sense but his ineptitude to engage dooms every relationship he tries to foster. In conclusion, I liked the portrait but did not admire the brush strokes.”

  Sara M wrote this review Thursday, October 23 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 3 stars

  “I read this so I could vote on the Booker of Bookers ( deadline July 8 maybe ) & so now that makes 4 of the 6 choices. The public gets to help celebrate 40 years of Booker Prize winners by voting for their favorite. Cast your vote online!”

  scotie wrote this review Monday, June 30 2008. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 2 stars

  “Boring and slow. I dont understand how this book won the Booker award.”

  Muna G wrote this review Tuesday, October 23 2007. ( reply | permalink )
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  • Rated 3 stars

  “The book primarily consists of self-monologues of a white millionaire in an apartheid South Africa, who buys a farm in the suburbs. The monologues and thought chains draw out his rootlessness and the emptiness of his life. The title very beautifully captures his essence - a man happy and comfortable with the state of affairs, disinterested in freeing his country out of the apartheid which serves him well. Very subtly, Gordimer has mocked this entire group of 'comfortable' people, which were always instrumental in maintaining the divide.
  At other times, she delves into the monologues of a few others - significantly the rich man's farm manager Jacobus and an old Indian shopkeeper living close to the farm. Both these men too, are reluctant to any kind of change - comfortable in the continuum.
  The Conservationist is a rewarding reading, even though it is a bit tedious because of its monologues. The 'You' in the monologues keeps referring to several different people - the son, the mistress, the ex-wife, and you have to pay attention or the monologue floats away fast.”

  Madhuri wrote this review Saturday, September 29 2007. ( reply | permalink )