Coetzee, Naipaul, Lessing and even Maugham wrote in their books about apartheid. They don't focus though only on that (maybe only Naipaul does, but I have only read one book by him), but they also insist on other themes. Gordimer writes about this theme in this book and she does it really well. Composed of short stories, it has as main theme the apartheid: the policy of segregation of non-white population in Africa. This is actually the main reason why I kept putting it off every time I would start a new book: I was thoroughly convinced that these stories will be so charged with politics that I will not enjoy the read. I was so wrong!Although all the stories are mainly about that, they are written in such a creative and original way that they conquer your attention from the first lines even if politics doesn't interest you much. This is my first contact with Gordimer's manner of writing and I must confess that I am impressed: she writes in such a way that it's a total delight to read the stories not only for the subjects she chose, but also for the way she constructed phrases, for the way she created very plastic images and ideas. As any collection of stories, this one contains very good stories and also stories that are less good/likable. I however am so amazed with the way she manages to express her ideas and with the way she chooses her words and structures to construct all her stories that I will not only rate this book with five stars, but I will also make sure to read pretty soon other works written by her.A few words about the stories I liked most: "Once Upon a Time", "The Ultimate Safari", "Some Are Born to Sweet Delight", "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off", "A Journey", "Safe Houses" - all these are amazing. The way she constructs these stories is really nice and the way she makes a point lets you dumbfounded. There's a lot of expressiveness in her style, a strength of sketching in a very imaginative way how the systems and practices separate people according to race and caste in Africa. I was only slightly conscious about what is happening out there from the books I have read before (all works of literature) and from the movies I've seen, but never was I as conscious as I am now, after reading this book, of all the brutality and lack of civilized practices going on there. I won't narrate the stories, I feel that by making short summaries for these above I wouldn't ever be able to do justice to the power that they emanate in the readers' minds and imagination.A big bravooo for Gordimer, this is an amazing book!
Jump is a collection of stories by Nadine Gordimer, a Nobel winning writer from South Africa. Gordimer draws on her experience as a South African to cut straight to the bone, with stories of apartheid and violence. This is a really cohesive collection and works well when examined as a whole - I enjoyed the collection more and more as I read further, I think these stories are best read together. I also felt like I understood Gordimer's message and vision better the more I read. Gordimer is an excellent writer, both in the quality of her prose and in the content of her unapologetically challenging stories.
What do You think about Jump And Other Stories (1992)?
A favorite author, influential to the development of my thinking about international affairs and social justice when I was in high school and college, yet I can't remember the names of the books I read!"Some are born to sweet delight" was the first story I ever read by Gordimer, and it shook me to my core. 11th grade English, end of the day, classroom lights out and reading quietly with sunshine and bees floating in the open window on a summer breeze ... and I was stunned, horrified with the story ending. I was hooked. Many hours were lost sitting on the floor of the the college library stacks as I would read her short stores and novels between researching the science topics I had come there for in the first place.
—Bess
Shortly before the fall of apartheid, the Afrikaner farmer Marais Van der Vyver accidently shoots and kills one of his young black laborers, Lucas. A staunch opponent of the anti-apartheid movement, Van der Vyver is convinced that the “radicals” will use this incident to fuel the political fires opposing apartheid. He appropriately reports the accident to the authorities, the chief of police being somewhat embarrassed when Van der Vyver weeps during the conversation. Van der Vyver and his wife t
—Bruce
Nadine Gordimer was the first South African to receive the Nobel Laureate for Literature in 1991 (JM Coetzee was the other in 2003). I must admit that I tried to read her work a few years ago, but it just didn't resonate with me - I guess it wasn't time yet. Each of the short stories have differing styles - many reminded me of Virgina Woolf's 'To The Lighthouse". Its a quick read and very enjoyable. Gordimer's 2 other famous pieces are the "The Pickup" and "The Conservationist" - they will definitely be on the to read pile.
—Sean de la Rosa
