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About this Book
Trade Paperback
416 Pages, 5.3 x 8.1 x 0.97 in
August 12, 2004
Harpercollins Canada, Limited
Canadian Author
0006392806
9780006392804
From Our Editors
Thrilling to read, A Blade of Grass is a wrenching story
of friendship and betrayal and of the trauma of the land that has
shaped post-colonial Africa.
From the Publisher
Set on the border between South Africa and an unnamed country, A
Blade of Grass is the taut story of two women, one white and one
black, who struggle to save their farm and, ultimately, their
lives. Märit, a young woman of British descent, recently orphaned
and newly wed, comes to live with her husband, Ben, on their new
farm. Despite its Edenic setting, the land explodes in violence and
tragedy, and Märit finds herself caught in a tug of war between the
local Afrikaner community and the black workers who live on her
farm. Frightened, she turns to the only person who can help her, a
young woman who is now also alone in the worldher maid, Tembi.
As the novel builds to its devastating climax, it unfolds a tale
both terrifying and hopeful, moving beyond its own time and place
to become a universal story of the price of freedom.
About the Author
Lewis DeSoto was born in Bloemfontein, South
Africa. After moving to Canada, he attended the University of
British Columbia, where he received a master of fine arts. His
writing has been published in numerous literary journals, and he
was awarded the Books in Canada/Writers' Trust Short Prose
Award. A past editor of The Literary Review of Canada,
Lewis DeSoto lives in Toronto and Normandy.
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Heather's Review
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Heather Reisman
2 years ago
I am so pleased that my newest pick is by a prize-winning Canadian novelist. A Blade of Grass is set in apartheid South Africa and centres around the unlikely friendship between an orphaned young black woman and her widowed white mistress. Their need for each other, their shared battle against discrimination (though of two different types) and the stark reality of their different destinies made this a very moving read for me.
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Reviews from the Community8 Reviews
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Rowan
This review is from: Blade Of Grass (Hardcover)
4 years ago
I found this book told a powerful story about friendship and trust but I found that every time the protagonist would just get over a bad thing that happened in her life something else horrible would happen. There wasn't enough description of the landscape as I would have hoped, and I found that the ending was a bit rushed but over all it kept me tuned in. + read more
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Amanda Pfeifer
2 years ago
This book far exceeded my expectations. Lews DeSoto's first book is a HIT and I hope we see more titles by this wonderful story teller.
A story full of tragic events, but at the heart of it, two women, unlikely friends, form a sisterhood and friendship. I could hardly put this book down.
I must read!
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Anonymous
This review is from: A Blade Of Grass (Trade Paperback)
3 years ago
I thought the book was really well written and I found it interesting that it was written by a man in the perspective of two women. My mom grew up in South Africa in the same time that Lewis DeSoto did so it was interesting to read about the struggles experienced by everyone in that country.
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Reikigal
2 years ago
This book is a story of friendship against odds. I really enjoyed the book, and the ending really made me think...I finished it a few days ago and am still thinking about it.
The writing style is unique, I can really feel the differences in the characters based on the author's writing when describing that character and their thoughts. I immediately was grasped into this world and loved it there. The characters do not 'run together' as in some other books, and the reader gets an immediate… + read more
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Kerry (Employee)
4 years ago
Lewis De Soto's A Blade of Grass is a fascinating read from start to finish. His prose aptly captures the lyrical nature of African language and storytelling and draws the reader into the lush African landscapes that he is bringing to life. The unlikely yet tumultuous friendship that evolves between Marit the Missus, and Tembi the servant is at times touching and incredibly frustrating, reflecting most human relationships regardless of skin colour or status in life. A Blade of Grass is… + read more
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Polly
4 years ago
This book started out great, but towards the middle this book seemed to run out of steam and become predictable. I can see why it was nominated for an award but didn't win.
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Suzanne Chaddock
4 years ago
What an excellent and descriptive story !! From his descriptions I felt I was there and could picture everything and everyone. I couldn't put it down. A gifted new Canadian Author.
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