Virago Modern Classics discussion

In a poll for November 2024 won The Story of an African Farm by Olive Schreiner.

Who is going to read it? How do you like it?

If you have read it already, or you are reading it at another (later) time - write here what you think about the book too.

[Please keep in mind to hide spoilers in spoiler brackets.]

I have started it already.

I am going to read it, I borrowed it from the library.

I will be reading it & I already have my kindle copy, but I need to finish one book & read another before I get to it. :)

I've started it.

I will be reading it, but have some to finish off ahead of it.

Splendid, and so much not "Victorian".

I am reading a 1924 edition, a beautiful little illustrated book with a preface by the author signed R.Iron and an introduction by S.C. Cronwright-Schreiner, her husband.
(view spoiler)[
Human life may be painted according to two methods. There is the stage method. According to that each character is duly marshalled at first, and ticketed; we know with an immutable certainty that at the right crises each one will reappear and act his part, and, when the curtain falls, all will stand before it bowing. There is a sense of satisfaction in this, and of completeness. But there is another method—the method of the life we all lead. Here nothing can be prophesied. There is a strange coming and going of feet. Men appear, act and re-act upon each other, and pass away. When the crisis comes the man who would fit it does not return. When the curtain falls no one is ready. When the footlights are brightest they are blown out; and what the name of the play is no one knows. If there sits a spectator who knows, he sits so high that the players in the gaslight cannot hear his breathing.

I'm about a third of the way through and I'm really enjoying it, even if it's a little sad. What do you think about the clock scene?

It never waited; it went on inexorably; and every time it ticked a man died!
How many times had it ticked since he came to lie down? A thousand times, a million times, perhaps.
"Dying, dying, dying!" said the watch; "dying, dying, dying!"
He thought of how that stream had rolled on through all the long ages of the past—how the old Greeks and Romans had gone over; the countless millions of China and India, they were going over now. Since he had come to bed, how many had gone!
"Oh, God, God! save them!" he cried in agony. "Only some, only a few! Only for each moment I am praying here one!"

Also I found heartbreaking the sacrifice scene.
And what a pain to watch Bonaparte plot his schemes and succeed... (hide spoiler)]

I have read Olive Schreiner biography on Wikipedia, she lead an interesting life.

Daniela wrote: "I am reading a 1924 edition, a beautiful little illustrated book with a preface by the author signed R.Iron and an introduction by S.C. Cronwright-Schreiner, her husband.
..."

Yes. It was definitely a sad story. Even sadder at the end.

The clock scene sounded to me like a kind of mental illness, but oppressive belief can do that with a human.

I have started - well written so far.

& it is still well written but also very depressing. I'm not sure if I will finish it.

I'm taking a couple of days break from it & then will try again.

I finished it and you were right, it continues sadly as it began.
However, I liked it. In some places it is very philosophical, like in the chapter "Times and season". I sometimes found myself in the story of the journey of faith from childhood to adulthood, or at least I understood perfectly what the protagonist was going through.
They say that this is one of the first feminist works. Many of Lyndall's speeches are real manifestos, and it is clear that they are pretexts for the author to expose her vision of the world.
And then the ending...

For the soul's fierce cry for immortality is this—only this: Return to me after death the thing as it was before. Leave me in the Hereafter the being that I am today. Rob me of the thoughts, the feelings, the desires that are my life, and you have nothing left to take. Your immortality is annihilation, your Hereafter is a lie.

How many times have I thought the same things!

All dies, all dies! the roses are red with the matter that once reddened the cheek of the child; .... Death's finger is everywhere. The rocks are built up of a life that was.

Daniela wrote: "I finished it and you were right, it continues sadly as it began.
However, I liked it. In some places it is very philosophical, like in the chapter "Times and season". I sometimes found myself in t..."

A very thoughtful analysis, Daniela!

I may return to this one one day - but I doubt it. Just too depressing for me.