Review of Hottentot Venus; the Story of Saartjie Baartman
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Review of Hottentot Venus; the Story of Saartjie Baartman
[Following is a volunteer review of "Hottentot Venus; the Story of Saartjie Baartman" by Monica Clarke.]
In Hottentot Venus: The Story of Saartjie Baartman, Monica Clark writes the biography of the Khoikhoen ancestor, named in the title. The story is written from Saartjie’s point of view, allowing us to see things from her perspective as they unfold. This adds depth to the narrative as we consider her thoughts and feelings as a young woman in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by greedy men who will go to great lengths to exploit her for their own benefit.
The story begins with Saartjie being transported from South Africa to England, under the impression that she will work for two years and send money back to her family before returning to Cape Town. However, this is not the case, as her employer, Hendricks, changes their agreement upon arrival. The story then follows a frightened and apprehensive Saartjie as she faces the horrifying reality of her new life.
The book does an impressive job of telling her story from her perspective. By doing so, it portrays realistic emotions and reactions to the terrible situations she endures. I found it absolutely heartbreaking to read about the way she was treated and what she had to endure. It felt unfair and infuriating to think that people had gotten away with such cruel and inhumane behavior. Saartjie went through so much, and this book serves as a beautiful tribute to her memory.
I enjoyed how the story took us through the events leading up to her departure for England. The parts involving her Khoikhoen culture and traditions were particularly interesting. I also liked how the author structured the story, taking us from her situation in England back to her life before, showing the beauty of her lifestyle.
I found parts of the story extremely graphic, and the demeaning way she was treated was upsetting. However, this was the reality of her situation, and reading about it made me wish it hadn’t happened. Watching her try to convince herself that she didn’t mind was one of the saddest parts for me.
Throughout the entire book, I did not find a single error. The author did a wonderful job with the editing, which made the reading experience more enjoyable. As I read, I couldn’t find anything to dislike about the book. The focus on Saartjie Baartman, her emotions, and her reasoning did an excellent job of drawing the reader into the story.
I would give this book a 5 out of 5-star rating because of how well edited it was, how compelling the story is, and because there is no reason to deduct any stars. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Saartjie Baartman’s life or in powerful, emotional historical biographies.
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Hottentot Venus; the Story of Saartjie Baartman
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In Hottentot Venus: The Story of Saartjie Baartman, Monica Clark writes the biography of the Khoikhoen ancestor, named in the title. The story is written from Saartjie’s point of view, allowing us to see things from her perspective as they unfold. This adds depth to the narrative as we consider her thoughts and feelings as a young woman in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by greedy men who will go to great lengths to exploit her for their own benefit.
The story begins with Saartjie being transported from South Africa to England, under the impression that she will work for two years and send money back to her family before returning to Cape Town. However, this is not the case, as her employer, Hendricks, changes their agreement upon arrival. The story then follows a frightened and apprehensive Saartjie as she faces the horrifying reality of her new life.
The book does an impressive job of telling her story from her perspective. By doing so, it portrays realistic emotions and reactions to the terrible situations she endures. I found it absolutely heartbreaking to read about the way she was treated and what she had to endure. It felt unfair and infuriating to think that people had gotten away with such cruel and inhumane behavior. Saartjie went through so much, and this book serves as a beautiful tribute to her memory.
I enjoyed how the story took us through the events leading up to her departure for England. The parts involving her Khoikhoen culture and traditions were particularly interesting. I also liked how the author structured the story, taking us from her situation in England back to her life before, showing the beauty of her lifestyle.
I found parts of the story extremely graphic, and the demeaning way she was treated was upsetting. However, this was the reality of her situation, and reading about it made me wish it hadn’t happened. Watching her try to convince herself that she didn’t mind was one of the saddest parts for me.
Throughout the entire book, I did not find a single error. The author did a wonderful job with the editing, which made the reading experience more enjoyable. As I read, I couldn’t find anything to dislike about the book. The focus on Saartjie Baartman, her emotions, and her reasoning did an excellent job of drawing the reader into the story.
I would give this book a 5 out of 5-star rating because of how well edited it was, how compelling the story is, and because there is no reason to deduct any stars. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Saartjie Baartman’s life or in powerful, emotional historical biographies.
******
Hottentot Venus; the Story of Saartjie Baartman
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Balaclava by M. G. Field
