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Unfeeling
At 16, Davey's stuck between becoming the man his father wants him to be, and leaving behind the child he was. Before Davey gets a chance to grow up, however, his placid life is destroyed when his parents are murdered and his family farm “reclaimed.” Neighboring farmers try to care for Davey by engaging him in their community of clubs, church, and boarding school, but one night Davey escapes, embarking on a harrowing trek away from civilization and toward revenge and redemption. Ian Holding’s tense, sparse prose, vivid sense of place, and searing portrait of a boy in a situation almost beyond imagining make this an unforgettable debut.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
3 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Ian Holding
5 books13 followersIan Holding was born in 1978 in Harare, Zimbabwe and has lived there all his life. His critically acclaimed first novel, "Unfeeling" was published in 2005, and was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize. In 2009 he was a Hawthornden Fellow. His new book, "Of Beasts & Beings" will be published in August 2010. His passions include classical music and sport.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 3, 2011
A sad book because it is based loosely on facts: the (colonial) farmers own most of the arable farm land and have done so for generations. Under the guise of giving the farm land back to the indiginous people, the land is forcefully taken back, regardless of the cost to the (colonial) owners. There are no consequences if they are killed in the process. However, the farm land is not given to the indiginous farmers but taken over by greedy politicians using it as a status symbol - the farm allowed to go to ruin.
So this is a story of Davey who's parents are murdered in such an attack whereas he survived because he was in the attic at the time. He is on a guilt-trip because he witnessed part of the murder but went into hiding instead of trying to defend the family.
I appreciated the use of colloguial names throughout the book. Words like stoep, vlei, donga, kraal, kopjie, boerewors, braai. There are many more and anyone raised in Southern Africa will understand their meaning. Other readers however may not. The author does however explain some of the more obscure words like "kapenta".
All in all an excellent book though I did feel that Davey, as a teenaged boy, born and raised on a farm would have more "guts" and sense than what he is portrayed to have.
As a final comment, I did not enjoy how the script developed: one would read a second-hand account of an event and then several chapters later, the same event told first-hand. As an example, the final chapter tells how Davey carries out a certain act. However, several chapters earlier the reader already know all about this act though not as seen though Davey' point of view. Maybe it makes good literary sense but I found it frustrating - and would have rearranged the chapters if I could. Still gave it 5-stars anyway!!
So this is a story of Davey who's parents are murdered in such an attack whereas he survived because he was in the attic at the time. He is on a guilt-trip because he witnessed part of the murder but went into hiding instead of trying to defend the family.
I appreciated the use of colloguial names throughout the book. Words like stoep, vlei, donga, kraal, kopjie, boerewors, braai. There are many more and anyone raised in Southern Africa will understand their meaning. Other readers however may not. The author does however explain some of the more obscure words like "kapenta".
All in all an excellent book though I did feel that Davey, as a teenaged boy, born and raised on a farm would have more "guts" and sense than what he is portrayed to have.
As a final comment, I did not enjoy how the script developed: one would read a second-hand account of an event and then several chapters later, the same event told first-hand. As an example, the final chapter tells how Davey carries out a certain act. However, several chapters earlier the reader already know all about this act though not as seen though Davey' point of view. Maybe it makes good literary sense but I found it frustrating - and would have rearranged the chapters if I could. Still gave it 5-stars anyway!!
November 11, 2009
I sort of feel like the title of this novel has more to do with my reaction to it than to the content of the book. I generally really appreciate a human face being put on a tragic or problematic situation. I had read about white farmers being slaughtered and their farms taken over by black South Africans, in a clumsy, violent, horrifying effort at restoring an imbalance, and I was interested in reading about it. I just never felt emotionally connected to any of the characters. It's certainly well written for a first novel. I'm not certain if the distancing effect was intended, or if it's a failing in me as a reader, or in the book. Marsha and Leigh were interesting as characters, but their mysterious connection was barely touched on. The sense of corruption and arbitrariness in the application of law was strong, but the policemen and the woman who took over the farm almost seem like caricatures. Again, I'm not sure if this was intended or not, and it seems like in more assured hands it would be more clear.
January 31, 2016
Surprisingly impressive, despite the initial reservations. I picked this book up cheaply as a punt, having briefly read the back cover blurb mentioning a teenage lad coming down from the attic one day and finding his parents murdered, and thinking it sounded like a decent run-of-the-mill crime thriller. I was wrong, as when I came to read it, I found that the story was more of a story of politics and society - the aforementioned scenario taking place in the context of white farmers in Zimbabwe having their land and lives forcibly taken.
It was excellently written - the landscape, the situation, and the feelings of the characters all intelligently and sympathetically painted. Readable despite the shocking contents, the plot teased out, educational and entertaining. I was confused at some points, didn't follow it in it's entirety, but it was a strong novel with an important story. I'd recommend it to fans of J M Coertzee and similar - challenging reading in places, but worthwhile.
It was excellently written - the landscape, the situation, and the feelings of the characters all intelligently and sympathetically painted. Readable despite the shocking contents, the plot teased out, educational and entertaining. I was confused at some points, didn't follow it in it's entirety, but it was a strong novel with an important story. I'd recommend it to fans of J M Coertzee and similar - challenging reading in places, but worthwhile.
January 2, 2009
This is one of my all-time favorite books. It's terribly difficult to get a hold of since it was written in Zimbabwe, but it's a gut-wrenching account of the farm takeovers when Mugabe came to power in Zimbabwe.
September 22, 2019
Reading this book was hard for me, I was so engrossed until I realised the racist undertones and it was quite difficult to get through I think it’s is a well written book but more less is the perspective of a white supremacy family for this reason my sympathy was not very strong in the book the way the talk about the blacks is quite upsetting, I got the gist that author was racist so AGAIN this was hard for me to read but it is well written and was still engrossing to see another perspective of said situation.
March 16, 2020
Wow. A tough read in some ways, but so rich with imagery. Loved it, loved every page. Amazing to read the sometimes closed-minded views of the people, especially in the scene with the intelligent black man with the water from 20kms away, what an impeccable moment that so beautifully shows the stubborn mindset of Davey. Striking themes, beautifully told. Relevant; I hated and loved the stark cruelty in many of the tales as that is the very harsh reality for some communities in the country. Loved the intertwining themes of life and death and loss of innocence. What a rare treat to read.
March 15, 2025
This was really hard to read. The main character is a 16-year old boy whose parents were brutally murdered. Other key characters are the best friends of his parents who look after the boy. Book is suspenseful and disturbing.
Human and animal suffering. I cringed reading about men slicing meat off of a living cow.
You get a good sense of the beauty of Africa.
Human and animal suffering. I cringed reading about men slicing meat off of a living cow.
You get a good sense of the beauty of Africa.
August 8, 2023
It takes place in a country with social upheaval where the white farmers lost their land without compensation or much noticed. Davey’s parents were butchered and most of the book is about how he deals with his pain.
November 13, 2023
Racist stereotypical portrayal of black people. Overly sentimental and forgiving portrayal of white people. Patronizing, demeaning portrayal of women and anticlimactic ending that offers nothing new in terms of solution or viewpoint.
April 16, 2018
Found this hard work as the narrative did not really hold my attention. A good first novel though on the whole.
June 20, 2019
Great read...left me wanting more.
August 26, 2023
Difficult read and often gut-wrenching as the author tries to touch on many different points of view to this ongoing difficult situation.
June 14, 2020
I found Unfeeling really drew me in and evoked such emotions of anger, regret, and suspense. The pain and confusion these characters experienced was so well illustrated by the author’s style and tone. Very graphic and at points disturbing Unfeeling did an excellent job at demonstrating how trauma rips through individuals, communities, and generations.
February 17, 2009
Although it doesn't acknowledge it the book is set in Zimbabwe during the time of the farm attacks. In fact in some ways it could be set in the present day as the issues are still very much the same. I did some research on this book and author after reading it as I was once again interested in why it received quite abit of attention and was short listed for some awards. I have been to South Africa and my close friend lived in Zimbabwe in the 1990's and I have followed the
politics of the country. I thought the book itself was not that well written eg. Below him the land stretched black and boundless,fold upon fold, dale upon dale, burnt and barren. But there were also moments of description that were quite beautiful and truly captured memories of sights I had seen. I thought that this was an angry book and that most of the characters--white and black were caricatures and stereotypes. The author, a young man at the time of writing did not and could not realistically be able to give voice to the women in the book although he gave it a good try.
I wonder if sometimes books achieve more importance because of the context in which they are published. For myself I think there is a kind of collective guilt that occurs as the world watches the goings on in Zimbabwe without taking action.
politics of the country. I thought the book itself was not that well written eg. Below him the land stretched black and boundless,fold upon fold, dale upon dale, burnt and barren. But there were also moments of description that were quite beautiful and truly captured memories of sights I had seen. I thought that this was an angry book and that most of the characters--white and black were caricatures and stereotypes. The author, a young man at the time of writing did not and could not realistically be able to give voice to the women in the book although he gave it a good try.
I wonder if sometimes books achieve more importance because of the context in which they are published. For myself I think there is a kind of collective guilt that occurs as the world watches the goings on in Zimbabwe without taking action.
September 1, 2009
This literary novel is set in Africa. While this story is fictional, it speaks truths and is based around true events.
White, 16-year-old Davey witnesses his family being murdered by a Black militia who has come to reclaim the land his family has farmed for several generations. Davey, who survives the attacks by hiding, is taken in by the nearby farmers who have always acted as a second family to Davey. After a few weeks, he is sent back to boarding school where he is expected to heal. He doesn’t. Instead, he forms a plan to reclaim his family farm and runs away from school. Days later, sunburned, dehydrated and beaten, he is finally able to put his violent plan into play.
Then comes the cover up for his actions. Or is he too late? (I won’t reveal the twists.)
While this book covers difficult topics and has brutal scenes (how could it not?), the way Holding portrays the story and the characters, the reader is far enough removed that the ensuing brutality becomes thought provoking, but not so disturbing that one has to put the book down. For example, I didn’t have to put it down. And I’m a big sissy pants.
Holding does an amazing job of creating a tight timeline that jumps forwards and backwards, withholding facts until the reader absolutely needs them, and in all, creating an incredible story.
White, 16-year-old Davey witnesses his family being murdered by a Black militia who has come to reclaim the land his family has farmed for several generations. Davey, who survives the attacks by hiding, is taken in by the nearby farmers who have always acted as a second family to Davey. After a few weeks, he is sent back to boarding school where he is expected to heal. He doesn’t. Instead, he forms a plan to reclaim his family farm and runs away from school. Days later, sunburned, dehydrated and beaten, he is finally able to put his violent plan into play.
Then comes the cover up for his actions. Or is he too late? (I won’t reveal the twists.)
While this book covers difficult topics and has brutal scenes (how could it not?), the way Holding portrays the story and the characters, the reader is far enough removed that the ensuing brutality becomes thought provoking, but not so disturbing that one has to put the book down. For example, I didn’t have to put it down. And I’m a big sissy pants.
Holding does an amazing job of creating a tight timeline that jumps forwards and backwards, withholding facts until the reader absolutely needs them, and in all, creating an incredible story.
November 13, 2011
I picked up this book a while ago from Book Crossing and was intrigue by the story being set in Africa (allegedly Zimbabwe, as the author was born there). The story surrounds the murder of the Baker parents, white, by black Africans who are reclaiming their farmland to be theirs. The surviving son is in shock, as he has witnessed their deaths and is looking for vengeance. The story is very much told by the white perspective and I'm not sure how well the dynamics of White Colonialism is elaborated in this story. I was troubled by this lack of depth at the beginning of the story. However, towards the middle, during the son's journey from escaping from school to go back to his farmland for revenge, the story becomes quite engrossing and the heat and desolation of a huge landscape is felt vividly. By then, I got interested to see what would actually happen. The story is written in different timelines and even though it is hard to follow them at the beginning, it does get better and easier to trace what are the different time periods the author is wanting to emphasize. The writing style gets better towards the end, but the story really limits to one particular moment of a transition period that is not well delved in. In spite of all this, I did like the book.
December 14, 2009
I didn't exactly love this book but was able to tolerate it enough to finish. I guess ya just can't please all of the people, all of the time. lol
From dust jacket:
"Set against the backdrop of a post-independent African country during the notorious farm attacks, UNFEELING is a powerful narrative that captures the moral, political, and social complexity of a nation torn apart by violence.
Sixteen-year-old Davey Baker is in the attic when the militia comes to Edenfields to "reclaim" his family's farm. Locked in shock, he witnesses the brutal murder of both of his parents. The neighbouring farmers, Mike and Marsha De Wet - his parents' closest friends - take him in and try to care for him. They look to cope, like their people have always done.
But Davey is on a different path. One night, he escapes from school and embarks on a harrowing journey across Africa, eventually coming home to Edenfields Farm, searching for redemption.
Shortlisted for the 2006 Dylan Thomas Prize, UNFEELING is a triumphant debut from a promising new writer."
From dust jacket:
"Set against the backdrop of a post-independent African country during the notorious farm attacks, UNFEELING is a powerful narrative that captures the moral, political, and social complexity of a nation torn apart by violence.
Sixteen-year-old Davey Baker is in the attic when the militia comes to Edenfields to "reclaim" his family's farm. Locked in shock, he witnesses the brutal murder of both of his parents. The neighbouring farmers, Mike and Marsha De Wet - his parents' closest friends - take him in and try to care for him. They look to cope, like their people have always done.
But Davey is on a different path. One night, he escapes from school and embarks on a harrowing journey across Africa, eventually coming home to Edenfields Farm, searching for redemption.
Shortlisted for the 2006 Dylan Thomas Prize, UNFEELING is a triumphant debut from a promising new writer."
September 6, 2012
it was slow at the start but by the end i was flying through it and didn't want to put it down. it's worth reading if you're willing to push through the first half. it's moving and it's horrific. the kind of violence the boy witnesses will make anyone feel nauseated, but the author doesn't dwell on it making it bearable. it really brings the problems of land distribution to light in a "human" way, and also has interesting things to say about vengeance.
October 2, 2008
I enjoyed reading about the inner beliefs of the white Zimbabwean farmers and why they believe so firmly that their farms should belong to them forever. On the other hand, the author makes no excuses for their racist behavior and their almost complete lack of awareness of the lives of the Africans who live on their farms. As with many good books from Africa, it is a violent and brutal story.
February 1, 2012
On a lucky street lately for picking up great reads. This one was very good and highly recommend but its disturbing...disturbing in what we humans can do to others, including creatures. Set in Africa during the farm attacks. best not to say much as the story goes back and forth and reading the back of the book..or reviews..could lessen the discovery.
February 2, 2013
Having lived in Zimbabwe for 7 years and having heard about the farm attacks on the white farmers, i was intrigued to read this story.
A very disturbing and frank look at the impact racism, murder and vengeance. I was drawn to the characters in this book and the horror they are trying to survive.
A very disturbing and frank look at the impact racism, murder and vengeance. I was drawn to the characters in this book and the horror they are trying to survive.
Read
August 4, 2011SOOOO confusing, present/past is mixed into paragraphs for the first 1/2 of the book, i never knew what was going on, last half mixed it up in chapters at least. Overall the story was ok once i was finished and realized what went on but i wouldn't read it again!
August 16, 2015
Solid read and a hard dose of reality. A great first novel for a young writer. I really enjoyed the first 60 pages but then lost interest. I was a bit confused with the books purpose during the middle. Wished I could have enjoyed it more.
March 11, 2008
Very good book. Pretty one sided, no zimbabwean point of view.
April 24, 2009
I couldn't make it through the whole book. It just didn't feel good enough to draw me in.
May 31, 2009
The story of a boy who's family of Zimbabwean farmers is murdered and then he seeks revenge.
June 21, 2009
excellent frist book by new author. A little violently graphic
January 14, 2010
A tough story to read, but interesting assessment of what is happening in parts of Africa.
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June 22, 2011stopped reading - I can't cope with the deaths of animals.
July 2, 2012
Well written and terribly disturbing, but in a strangely compelling manner that draws your attention and holds it well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews