12. Identity and Loyalty in the David Story : a Postcolonial Reading

• Home
• My Books

Open Preview

See a Problem?

Nosotros'd dearest your help. Let the states know what's wrong with this preview of David's Story by Zoë Wicomb.

Thanks for telling us nearly the problem.

Friend Reviews

To encounter what your friends thought of this book, please sign upwardly.

Customs Reviews

 · 237 ratings  · 23 reviews

Start your review of David'southward Story

Oct 17, 2012 Melissa rated it really liked it

I read this volume for a class, and I can say it's definitely not an easy read. However, as I began to analyze the book , I began to sympathise more and more near the story and why it was written the manner it was. David's Story is about truth, facts, fiction, and lies and the quest to discover the hidden truth below the layers of time.

This story is generally told from the viewpoint of an unnamed narrator who is interviewing David, an MK soldier, who feels the need to record his life and family history.

I read this book for a class, and I can say it's definitely not an like shooting fish in a barrel read. Withal, equally I began to analyze the book , I began to understand more and more about the story and why it was written the way it was. David's Story is near truth, facts, fiction, and lies and the quest to find the hidden truth beneath the layers of time.

This story is mostly told from the viewpoint of an unnamed narrator who is interviewing David, an MK soldier, who feels the demand to record his life and family history. The story takes on a biased arroyo and forces the reader to try and dissect the facts from fiction--what the narrator is implying or adding to the story, what David is adding to or subtracting from the story, other people'south viewpoints on the story, the truths and lies of the apartheid struggle... Yet, through the muddle of confusing stories, perspectives, there is one truth that remains abiding in this story.

Though it was a confusing read at showtime, I gradually began to appreciate this story more, and I found it to exist a very addicting read, because as I mentioned it forces you to do "detective piece of work" along with David and the narrator. I believe this is a very good book that focuses on the untold story and inner workings of the "other side" of the apartheid struggle.

...more

Nov 24, 2013 Mirte rated it it was ok

It was very, very difficult to make sense of this book. It'due south a postmodern text in that information technology is very conscious of its own structure, issues of telling the truth and of personal perspectives, etc. This does make for a difficult narrative, floating in the air, jumping from one time period to another, jumping from one consciousness to another and altogether not bothering too much with interpunction or a logical division of different paragraphs. There is artistry in that, I guess, but in the end, one sho It was very, very hard to make sense of this book. It's a postmodern text in that information technology is very witting of its ain structure, issues of telling the truth and of personal perspectives, etc. This does make for a difficult narrative, floating in the air, jumping from once catamenia to another, jumping from one consciousness to another and altogether non bothering besides much with interpunction or a logical division of different paragraphs. There is artistry in that, I guess, only in the cease, ane should try to tell a story and not merely signal how complex telling that story actually is, no matter how relevant this may exist from a postcolonial point of view. ...more

Mar 24, 2013 Franki rated it information technology was ok

This book was painful to read. It did not flow or read as a story which, I tin empathise, is part of the purpose of this experimental-blazon novel. It has a lot of very quotable quotes, only information technology did non seem to really go anywhere or have very much to say, except that nothing that can exist said can be known, or known to be. It's complex, interesting, I guess, but I'm not going to search out anything else by this writer. This book was painful to read. It did not flow or read as a story which, I can empathise, is office of the purpose of this experimental-blazon novel. It has a lot of very quotable quotes, but information technology did non seem to actually go anywhere or accept very much to say, except that nothing that tin exist said tin be known, or known to be. It's complex, interesting, I estimate, but I'm not going to search out annihilation else past this writer. ...more

Tricky read but definitely worth it!

A little confusing at times as she moves through so many voices and fourth dimension frames so I retrieve I need to re-read this.

Explores the complexity and unreliability of telling stories as well every bit earthworks into the early on days of post-Apartheid South Africa from a Coloured perspective.

Jan 22, 2013 Signe Hansen rated it did not similar it

I am not really into postmodern writing at all, and so this book never actually got a agree of me... At all. But I guess it can be skillful if you like books similar that?
What a generally helpful review this has been, don't yous call up? (Distressing) I am not really into postmodern writing at all, and then this book never really got a hold of me... At all. Simply I guess it tin be proficient if y'all like books like that?
What a mostly helpful review this has been, don't you think? (Sad) ...more than

October 07, 2016 Marcy rated it liked it

Another book that I had higher expectations for and was a fleck disappointed with. I haven't read Wicomb'due south work since her collection of short stories You Can't Get Lost in Cape Town, which I recall loving. Only that was at a time where I had a much deeper affection for experimental, postmodern fiction and I realised reading this novel that I no longer crave that kind of disjointed narrative. The premise of this book is quite interested and engaging--specifically the part of the guerrilla motion Another volume that I had college expectations for and was a bit disappointed with. I haven't read Wicomb'due south work since her collection of short stories You Can't Become Lost in Greatcoat Boondocks, which I remember loving. Just that was at a time where I had a much deeper affection for experimental, postmodern fiction and I realised reading this novel that I no longer crave that kind of disjointed narrative. The premise of this book is quite interested and engaging--specifically the role of the guerrilla movement that helped create a South Africa sans apartheid--and that the primary person, David, effectually who the story is developed, is likewise the person who approached Wicomb asking her to help him tell his story. I also appreciate the layered attention to the more than occluded by of Southward Africans, especially the Griqua, are given a voice through this narrative and I learned quite a lot from reading the novel as a issue. I just wish the narrative was more coherent and cohesive. ...more

I read this book for a class I'm taking on post-apartheid South Africa and I had a difficult time reading this volume. It'due south such a complicated postmodern novel that I just can't give this volume a rating. Yet, I did give it a 3 stars-rating since I'm notwithstanding undecided and had to pick a rating. I need at least one more reading to grasp this volume and maybe I'll never totally understand this novel since its intertextuality and story are so complex. The afterword by Dorothy Driver was really useful in unde I read this book for a class I'k taking on mail service-apartheid South Africa and I had a hard time reading this book. Information technology's such a complicated postmodern novel that I just tin can't give this volume a rating. However, I did requite it a 3 stars-rating since I'm all the same undecided and had to pick a rating. I demand at least one more reading to grasp this book and maybe I'll never totally understand this novel since its intertextuality and story are then complex. The afterword by Dorothy Commuter was really useful in agreement this novel, although I'd rather would've liked to read it before I started reading. All in all, not an easy volume to read and a challenge. ...more than

Mar fifteen, 2008 Keith rated it really liked information technology

Recommends it for: People interested in historical and cultural influences.

A story that provides insight into mail service/apartheid South.Africa and the difficulties of racial differences and identity. Zoe Wicomb does an astonishing chore capturing the culture during this time frame. Wicomb herself from South.Africa lives and teaches in Scotland. The story is both engaging and insightful. Wicomb weaves fiction into a existent situation with elegance and style. To fully grasp the impact of what she has washed and the effort she has made, I propose reading interviews and articles about both the boo A story that provides insight into post/apartheid Due south.Africa and the difficulties of racial differences and identity. Zoe Wicomb does an amazing job capturing the culture during this fourth dimension frame. Wicomb herself from South.Africa lives and teaches in Scotland. The story is both engaging and insightful. Wicomb weaves fiction into a real situation with elegance and way. To fully grasp the affect of what she has done and the effort she has made, I propose reading interviews and articles virtually both the book as well as Wicomb. Also, to do cursory enquiry on the events of apartheid and the problems in their racial divides/classification. ...more

Aug eighteen, 2013 Fred Daly rated it really liked it

South African. Despite an excess of postmodern tricks, this is a very interesting book. Set right at the terminate of the apartheid era, it's about a man who has been a member of the Movement is having difficulty figuring out what to exercise and whom to trust. In that location'southward a long scholarly essay at the end by a professor to explain things; evidently the publisher wasn't confident the novel could speak for itself. South African. Despite an excess of postmodern tricks, this is a very interesting book. Set right at the end of the apartheid era, it's nigh a man who has been a fellow member of the Movement is having difficulty figuring out what to practice and whom to trust. In that location's a long scholarly essay at the end by a professor to explicate things; evidently the publisher wasn't confident the novel could speak for itself. ...more

November 15, 2016 Claire rated information technology actually liked information technology

Read for Contemporary Postcolonial Lit.
I don't know what I expected of this book, but it was so much complex and wonderfully written than I thought it was going to exist. There were moments that the narrators phonation merely shouts about everything and it's incredibly haunting and grounding. I tin't wait to delve into it and read more than for my essay. Read for Contemporary Postcolonial Lit.
I don't know what I expected of this volume, but it was so much circuitous and wonderfully written than I thought it was going to be. There were moments that the narrators vocalisation just shouts near everything and information technology's incredibly haunting and grounding. I can't wait to delve into it and read more for my essay. ...more

lots of good humor here, in amongst the horrors of colonialists kick everybody around. even, or perchance manditoryily, sarah baartman (the griqua african venus) makes an advent, and her offspring. so all in all, quite a saga, with lots of trekking to a fro, lots of starvation, exploitation, sadness. but ultimately griquas are barely at that place anymore. one of the oldest man societies on earth.

Mar xvi, 2010 Kazima rated information technology really liked it

This was such an interesting book! Not the nigh easily read book: there's no traditional, piece of cake to follow plot build up, but the mixed narrator voices were not every bit confusing every bit I was lead to believe. If you're able to just relax and permit the story float into your mind, it is a swell feel that unravels an amazing set of stories. This was such an interesting book! Not the well-nigh easily read book: in that location's no traditional, easy to follow plot build up, just the mixed narrator voices were not every bit confusing as I was lead to believe. If y'all're able to simply relax and permit the story float into your mind, it is a great experience that unravels an amazing ready of stories. ...more than

Nov 15, 2009 Maralise rated it really liked it

The best 'postmodern' novel I've read so far. The engine that drives the story is a literary black hole, both infuriating and fascinating, never wearisome. At that place are 2 'I' narrators, both compelling. The best 'postmodern' novel I've read so far. The engine that drives the story is a literary black hole, both infuriating and fascinating, never boring. There are two 'I' narrators, both compelling. ...more than

Jun 06, 2011 Andrew rated it did not similar information technology

I hate yous Zoë Wicomb. Finish being such a man-hating feminist, that's my least favorite blazon. I hate you Zoë Wicomb. Stop beingness such a human being-antisocial feminist, that'due south my least favorite type. ...more

November xv, 2008 YZ rated it it was amazing

I similar it very much. It is messy.

Mar 06, 2011 Shannon rated it did not like information technology

Read this for my postal service-modernism and colonialism literature course at MSU. I was absolutely, completely in over my head.

Well, that was a waste material of a few hours of my life X<

Jan 17, 2021 Tiffany rated information technology actually liked it

iii.5, 3.75?

I can't say I was engrossed in this novel, but I will be thinking for a long time to come about all the questions about memory and accuracy, tensions betwixt narrators and authors, fictionalizing/imagining stories of those whose stories can never be told in the offset person... It'southward actually fun to sentinel Wicomb play with this narrative and experiment to its limits. I think that'southward super necessary for the stories we don't know how to tell.

3.5, three.75?

I can't say I was engrossed in this novel, but I will be thinking for a long time to come about all the questions about retention and accurateness, tensions between narrators and authors, fictionalizing/imagining stories of those whose stories tin can never be told in the starting time person... It's really fun to lookout Wicomb play with this narrative and experiment to its limits. I retrieve that's super necessary for the stories we don't know how to tell.

...more

A historical fiction partly set up in 1991 in Southward Africa, after Nelson Mandela was released from prison. Fifty-fifty though I found the historical material particularly engaging, I found the narration repetitive and tedious at times.

Has a lot to say, but so layered in a clunky abstruse series of lenses that it takes a tremendous corporeality of piece of work to admission. Ane of those books I probably would take enjoyed a lot more had I not been assigned it in an academic setting.

attempt at an "objective" history of the "coloured" resistance in south africa prior to the end of apartheid--difficult, important and beautiful, only not always gripping attempt at an "objective" history of the "coloured" resistance in south africa prior to the terminate of apartheid--difficult, important and beautiful, merely not always gripping ...more

Postmodern roman özelliklerini farklı zamanlara ait söylemler ve karakterlerle iyi yansıtan bir roman. Kuşkucu karakterleriyle Apartheid rejimi ve Cape Boondocks'ın kolonyal dönemi ekseninde dolaşıyor. Postmodern roman özelliklerini farklı zamanlara ait söylemler ve karakterlerle iyi yansıtan bir roman. Kuşkucu karakterleriyle Apartheid rejimi ve Cape Boondocks'ın kolonyal dönemi ekseninde dolaşıyor. ...more

Zoë Wicomb attended the University of the Western Greatcoat, and after graduating left Due south Africa for England in 1970, where she continued her studies at Reading University. She lived in Nottingham and Glasgow and returned to South Africa in 1990, where she taught for iii years in the department of English at the University of the Western Cape She gained attention in Due south Africa and internationall Zoë Wicomb attended the University of the Western Cape, and later on graduating left South Africa for England in 1970, where she connected her studies at Reading University. She lived in Nottingham and Glasgow and returned to South Africa in 1990, where she taught for three years in the department of English language at the Academy of the Western Cape She gained attention in South Africa and internationally with her outset work, a collection of short stories , You Can't Get Lost in Cape Boondocks (1987), which takes place during the apartheid era. Her 2d novel, David'south Story (2002), takes place in 1991 toward the close of the apartheid era and uses the cryptic nomenclature of coloureds to explore racial identity. Playing in the Light, her third novel, released in 2006, covers similar terrain conceptually, though this time set in contemporary South Africa and centering around a white woman who learns that her parents were actually coloured. She published her second collection of short stories, The 1 That Got Abroad. The stories, prepare mainly in Cape Town and Glasgow, explore a range of human relationships: marriage, friendships, family ties or relations with servants.

She was a winner of the 2013 Windham–Campbell Literature Prize for Fiction.

Zoe Wicomb resides in Glasgow where she teaches artistic writing and post-colonial literature at the University of Strathclyde.

...more

News & Interviews

Looking for something ballsy, stellar, or far out? Maybe a bit dystopian? And so these authors are your chosen ones to read adjacent! We asked...

"Aesthetics, he said, should be left to the and so-called artists, to the writers and readers of fiction. There is no demand to fret well-nigh writing, about our selection of words in the New Southward Africa; rather, we will have to make practise with mixtures of meaning, volition have to rely on typographic devices like the slash for many more years, he predicted." — 2 likes

"Like picnics—only when you're sure of a good roof over your head would you lot even think of eating out of doors, of making a song and dance about eating nether a tree." — 0 likes

More than quotes…

Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads business relationship.

12. Identity and Loyalty in the David Story : a Postcolonial Reading

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233469.David_s_Story

Share this post