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The Set Up
Macy's life is something many people can only dream of having. She has a beautiful home, two wonderful children and the ideal husband. Taking care of this faultless family is no work at all to Macy; it is her dream and her honour to be a wife and mother. When her friend Brandy enters the world of online dating, Macy starts to see a much different picture of the world around her. Not long after these cracks start to appear, her whole world shatters. Instead of self-pity, Macy decides to take her own back. She plans a set-up that will turn her life around, but things go terribly wrong...
156 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2012
10 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 21, 2016
A gripping story of love, commitment, and revenge.....gone wrong. The story of a woman - Macy, who gives all of herself to her family and life with almost no reservations, - she crosses a line somewhere during her life as a mother and a wife, where her giving & caring becomes sacrificial and she looses her essence as a human/woman. Earlier on in the narration there is ample warning signs of the Narcissistic husband. He is illustrated, or maybe I imagine him to be the man who believes he is an all important "planet" in the vast scheme of the universe's cosmic movements, his wife Macy, his children and others just flickering starts whose overall task remains to highlight the main planet.
The characters of Macy's mother in law is crucial to the discussion of the role of the wife, woman and mother in society, as her mother in law resembled this life Macy and so many young idealistic women dream off - a comfortable place to raise ones children, make the home a place of love......but at a great cost of sacrificing self. Like so many women who reaches the age of 40 years old, Macy too reaches a time of introspection and reflection - reviewing choices, and reaching understanding. In Macy's case, she reaches this time through a discovery of betrayal and lies. The shock of knowing that most of her life had been a lie until than sends her into depression, hiding and withdrawing. Having no friends, as her life until than has been that of a person in service of her family and isolating herself from even her own mother, she has only the energy of a good, gentle and caring son to help lift her for a short while. Sadly, her son who is already a young adult remains the only person who recognises and value all that is caring, giving and pure within his mother.
The story reaches a peak when a woman scorned seeks revenge and all her anger and turmoil spills over into the worst tragic climax. I loved that this story is one that could happen just about anywhere in the world, in any culture, it is a story of a woman who looses self, and defines herself as a "role" within the marriage and the family. I would encourage young women entering into marriage to read this book. thank you Segametsi Moumakwa - looking forward to reading Redemption. and many more.
The characters of Macy's mother in law is crucial to the discussion of the role of the wife, woman and mother in society, as her mother in law resembled this life Macy and so many young idealistic women dream off - a comfortable place to raise ones children, make the home a place of love......but at a great cost of sacrificing self. Like so many women who reaches the age of 40 years old, Macy too reaches a time of introspection and reflection - reviewing choices, and reaching understanding. In Macy's case, she reaches this time through a discovery of betrayal and lies. The shock of knowing that most of her life had been a lie until than sends her into depression, hiding and withdrawing. Having no friends, as her life until than has been that of a person in service of her family and isolating herself from even her own mother, she has only the energy of a good, gentle and caring son to help lift her for a short while. Sadly, her son who is already a young adult remains the only person who recognises and value all that is caring, giving and pure within his mother.
The story reaches a peak when a woman scorned seeks revenge and all her anger and turmoil spills over into the worst tragic climax. I loved that this story is one that could happen just about anywhere in the world, in any culture, it is a story of a woman who looses self, and defines herself as a "role" within the marriage and the family. I would encourage young women entering into marriage to read this book. thank you Segametsi Moumakwa - looking forward to reading Redemption. and many more.
August 1, 2014
Macy , Macy, Macy. The novel touched on a lot of issues facing women from time immemorial. Does our past determine our future? Does the apple truly not fall far from the tree? Do the good definitely die young? Is it really a men's world? Is it really a dog eat dog world and survival of the fittest?
Looking at the mothers in this book, I definitely think Maria was the better. She was a great and good mother, and did whatever it took to provide for her daughter, wanted the best for, and protect her. Like Maria, Sarah loved her son, but the choices she made were to her detriment if you were to ask me. Macy condescended rock bottom in the name of marriage and motherhood. There was no doubt that she believed in making her family work, and loved her children and their father. Sadly, unlike Sarah, she was Maria and El's daughter after all, and genes cannot be suppressed.
The biggest jerk amongst the fathers was undoubtedly El. Perhaps his social standing and financial situation didn't deter him from expressing his bad side. He was very "ghetto". Jim and his dad on the other hand were abusive as well, but keeping up appearances was very important for men of their socio-economic stature.
Can women avoid the calamities that fall upon them by taking each other's advises and listening to their inner voices? Are we genuinely there for one another or are men's charms too over whelming? Do men have ill intentions from the beginning or are the differences between the two sexes insurmountable and consequences of decisions taken unforeseeable?
The style of writing was uncomplicated, and the story was relevant yesterday, is relevant today, and I pray that it won't be tomorrow. It had a very modern touch to it. The matter that lead to the set up unfolded too easily though and the fact that Brandy got almost accurate information from the "separated" James, which she proudly narrated to her interested course mate took the mistery and suspense out of a good story.
Looking at the mothers in this book, I definitely think Maria was the better. She was a great and good mother, and did whatever it took to provide for her daughter, wanted the best for, and protect her. Like Maria, Sarah loved her son, but the choices she made were to her detriment if you were to ask me. Macy condescended rock bottom in the name of marriage and motherhood. There was no doubt that she believed in making her family work, and loved her children and their father. Sadly, unlike Sarah, she was Maria and El's daughter after all, and genes cannot be suppressed.
The biggest jerk amongst the fathers was undoubtedly El. Perhaps his social standing and financial situation didn't deter him from expressing his bad side. He was very "ghetto". Jim and his dad on the other hand were abusive as well, but keeping up appearances was very important for men of their socio-economic stature.
Can women avoid the calamities that fall upon them by taking each other's advises and listening to their inner voices? Are we genuinely there for one another or are men's charms too over whelming? Do men have ill intentions from the beginning or are the differences between the two sexes insurmountable and consequences of decisions taken unforeseeable?
The style of writing was uncomplicated, and the story was relevant yesterday, is relevant today, and I pray that it won't be tomorrow. It had a very modern touch to it. The matter that lead to the set up unfolded too easily though and the fact that Brandy got almost accurate information from the "separated" James, which she proudly narrated to her interested course mate took the mistery and suspense out of a good story.
January 14, 2013
o se ke wa lefeletsa bobe ka bobe.
once getting a total hang of the book i loved every single moment. there is a seductive thril about this book.
my full thoughts on this book shall have to wait until the book club meets on sunday.
the begining sound like elementary school creative writing. easy read sail through read. i felt the charectors could have been fully introduced so that we could understand how much the main charector had put in her building of perfection.
if your husband is having an affair and you have all the in between details how and when do you get the courage to draw in all the details without letting lady back-off? we are all adapted the notion that men will cheat but the minute its somebody you know it is then beyond betrayal. after absorbing all the details same man want to be all touchy on me and its allowed. no! i refuse.
i found a gentle twist in its proceedings at some point i thought friend-on-my-husband was the one going to be killed. finding that the wifes parents were both cheats one would think the cycle was repeating itself. shame but its sad how a well-thought of plan bombs brightly in ones face. this lady adored her son (potrayed in the letters written when she thought of taking herself) and she herself takes him away from her. some may think she had a mental problem but i think she was balanced cos she had structure, she lost it when a canon shot down perfection and didnt understand where to..
once getting a total hang of the book i loved every single moment. there is a seductive thril about this book.
my full thoughts on this book shall have to wait until the book club meets on sunday.
the begining sound like elementary school creative writing. easy read sail through read. i felt the charectors could have been fully introduced so that we could understand how much the main charector had put in her building of perfection.
if your husband is having an affair and you have all the in between details how and when do you get the courage to draw in all the details without letting lady back-off? we are all adapted the notion that men will cheat but the minute its somebody you know it is then beyond betrayal. after absorbing all the details same man want to be all touchy on me and its allowed. no! i refuse.
i found a gentle twist in its proceedings at some point i thought friend-on-my-husband was the one going to be killed. finding that the wifes parents were both cheats one would think the cycle was repeating itself. shame but its sad how a well-thought of plan bombs brightly in ones face. this lady adored her son (potrayed in the letters written when she thought of taking herself) and she herself takes him away from her. some may think she had a mental problem but i think she was balanced cos she had structure, she lost it when a canon shot down perfection and didnt understand where to..
December 17, 2012
Well written. plot unfolds very quickly. Fast paced book. Author cleverly disguised the characters' race to avoid racial profiling. Very clever use of diction. The end is very, very traumatic for Macy. It is unfathomable...
October 8, 2012
The Set Up was an easy book to read, it is written well without any unnecessary "fluffing". It makes you want to find out what is going to happen next. It ends tragically though.
December 26, 2012
I loved the story line. Wish there was more suspense. The plots came too easily.
The book or story also obviously targeted at an older reader but the language or diction too simplistic.
The book or story also obviously targeted at an older reader but the language or diction too simplistic.
May 26, 2013
It was an easy read, i enjoy the book.
September 11, 2013
Great right by Local SA author. Quick to read and it's "unputdownnable". The book leaves you wanting more.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews