Novel set in SOUTH AFRICA ("A gripping excursion into South Africa's past)The main character, Nadine, loves the thrill of chasing a good story to further her reporting career. She thrives on the adrenaline hit of the next story and is not afraid of entering the scary worlds of drugs, wars and unimaginable happenings that many of her colleagues shy away from. Or is she just kidding herself that this manic dangerous lifestyle is what she really wants from life?Whilst recovering from being attacked in Mexico, Nadine spots an irresistible story unfolding in her old haunts of Cape Town. Dropping everything, and everyone, she rushes off – thus leading the reader into an often disturbing tale of lives and relationships during the ending of the apartheid years.The story line moves between the now and the past of Nadine’s life, gradually discovering what occurred when she was in South Africa previously, and exploring her childhood, and her need to always run to her next reporting adventure. Gradually her life history unfolds, and with it the reasons for her never stopping in one place for long.There is a gripping side story unfolding along the main storyline, and I found it was hard not to skip ahead with the chapters covering this side story to find out what happens (but I am glad I resisted!) .Given the setting of Cape Town and the subject of apartheid, there is violence depicted in the novel, but it is well written with just enough detail to let your imagination do the work, and no gratuitous detail. The novel’s main characters are graphically drawn, as you are pulled into the contrasting lifestyles in Cape Town at that time.The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, headed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu is clearly explained. It allowed victims, or their families, of political crimes to hear the truth about what happened, and the perpetrators of these crimes to be given amnesty in certain circumstances. This TRC is a theme that runs throughout the book, offering no rights or wrongs, just a fascinating look into a different form of justice to that which most readers will be used to.For the tourist there is little information about Cape Town, however for anyone with an interest in South Africa, or just a good story, this is an unforgettably good read.I love books that I can get immersed in, and also learn from, and this is one of those books - with an easy going writing style that drew me in, and held my attention throughout. This is a book that explores a difficult, and terrible, part of history, but in a sympathetic manner. The book is one of hope, love and trust, and about finding out what is important in life.
"Gripping, darkly humorous, and luminous, Forgive Me is an unforgettable story of dreams and longing, betrayal and redemption."* * * * * * * *I just started this and it's completely involving, and it's also a quick read. AEW continues to impress me as a writer with a great sense of character and place.FINAL UPDATEAfter staying up way too late a couple of nights to finish this, I am quite disappointed (as are many reviewers on this site, who I had not read prior to reading the book). The first half of this book is just marvelous, and then it sort of runs off the rails. I don't know what the author was going for, but she didn't pull it off. It's a total shame, because the book oozes authenticity regarding South Africa, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (I was very much put in mind of the 2004 movie "In My Country," based on the memoir by Antjie Krog, "Country of my Skull" - some of the scenes are virtually identical), but overall the book is deeply unsatisfying.SPOILERS AHEADThe biggest problem is The Journal. It's quite distracting and trite, juxtaposed with the searing portrait of brutal torture, broken dreams, and very affecting death in South Africa. And much much worse, is that it turns out the pathetic woman in the journal, who "reads books on the couch all day" and is prone to "histrionics," while alternately smothering and ignoring her only child, is not Sophia, as we have been lead to believe, but is NADINE, who traded her kick ass job as a globe trotting war correspondent for "love" and security, and this is how she ended up. Is this some weird morality tale about the price of abandoning your true calling? Is AEW saying that Nadine should have married George instead? I don't have any idea what the point of this schizophrenic subplot is, but it ruined a really superior story about the value of forgiveness. (AEW should have saved the soap opera crap for a separate book.) At the time of the Big Reveal, I almost threw the book across the room, and I should have, because the last couple of chapters were crap. I have other complaints, especially about how Nadine "helps" Fikile in a truly bizarre fashion, but it's not even worth writing down. My final comment: WTF?
What do You think about Forgive Me (2007)?
A story about a journalist unable to deal with her past who uses the pull of the 'next big story' to justify her life and her decisions. Most of the book revolved around a story she was following in South Africa, and I have to say that particular part of the book was so enlightening. (Personally I only know bits and pieces of the history of South Africa and really learned a lot from this part of the story.) Up until the last 50 pages I was set on giving this book 5 stars, but I just didn't think the author pulled the story and the characters together as well as I would have liked. But still a good read!
—Nicole
Meh. Yes, I do like a fluffy, heartwarming read. I knew what to expect from the author, having read her other two books as well. But fluffy romance, flat characters and a somewhat naive take on matters are hard to take when they are set against such a politically charged backdrop. Also the journal part seems to have been added as an afterthought and was not really explored. In fact, as other reviewers pointed out already: this book opens up a few cans but does not really deal with the worms. Pity.
—Andrea
I just finished reading Forgive Me by Amanda Eyre Ward. Nadine Morgan is a journalist who travels the world, covering dangerous and important events and running from anything that might tie her down. After a story turns tragic in Cape Town, South Africa, Nadine doesn't go back - or open her heart; until she hears the story of American Jason Irving.Jason was beaten to death by angry local youths during the height of the aparteid era. Now, years later, his mother has been told that Jason's killers have applied for amnesty. His parents pack up and fly from Nantucket to Cape Town for the hearing determined not to bestow forgiveness.Nadine follows the Irvings back to Cape Town, determined to lose herself in covering the hearing and trying to forget the ghosts of her past. During her time there in South Africa, Nadine befriends both the mother of the victim and the mother of the killers, leading to serious consequences. I loved this story and give it an A+!
—Mary
