Review: Evening Primrose by Kopano Matlwa

The Blurb

With urgency and tenderness Evening Primrose explores issues of race, gender and the medical profession through the eyes of a junior doctor.

When Masechaba finally achieves her childhood dream of becoming a doctor, her ambition is tested as she faces the stark reality of South Africa's public healthcare system.

As she leaves her deeply religious mother and makes friends with the politically-minded Nyasha, Masechaba's eyes are opened to the rising xenophobic tension that carries echoes of apartheid.

Battling her inner demons, she must decide if she should take a stand to help her best friend, even it comes at a high personal cost. 

My review

Despite the brightness of the cover and thinness of the book, this was a very heavy read. From the heroine suffering from an embarrassing potentially debilitating condition when she was younger, losing someone she cared about, and joining a profession that attempted to break her down even though she’d wanted it since childhood.

The experience she went through in her attempt to stand up for what she thought was right was heart wrenching. And yet like so many things in life once a person has suffered through the torment and gotten through to the other side, everything worked out.

I found this to be a difficult read because it was sad throughout. The heroine lived a privileged yet challenging life that was well portrayed by the author.

I give this book five out of five stethoscope shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased my copy from the Ghana Must Read Book Club. It is available on Amazon and other retailers.