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The #WomensPrize always picks one weird one that nobody likes. This year it's Crooked Seeds, and I actually did like it. In a future New South Africa water is rationed and the government is reclaiming private property. Compensation is not forthcoming because the economy has gone to shit. Deirdre is a middle aged alcoholic with a massive chip on her shoulder, and bases her whole identity around being an amputee. Something is found buried in the ⤵️

I wasn‘t a fan of An Island and so would not have read this if not for the #WP25 longlist, so color me surprised that I enjoyed it. It is a portrait of a selfish, self-pitying woman who I think the reader gradually comes to see we all have a bit of inside us. She‘s unlikable, of course, and we gradually come to understand her a bit by the end. I do think this is worthy of the list.

Not a book to read when you are feeling thirsty.

In the midst of a future Cape Town when water is privatised and in short supply. Deidre is drunk, and blaming everyone else for her problems, despite never having worked or even acknowledged the help she *has* been given.

Will the discovery of buried secrets at her old family home change her attitude?

#WomensPrizeLL25

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A very unlikable character selfishly taking the little water resources available in a near future water-stressed South Africa.. and she‘s white and disabled. She uses that for her advantage. This is supposed to echo a broader point—was lost on me. History, family secrets, past coming back to haunt, unanswered questions, repressed memories. I had high hopes because I loved An Island but this just did not strike a cord with me.

I loved this authors last book, An Island. In Crooked Seeds, she has written an extremely unlikable main character... and makes us care about her. Set in the near future in South Africa, as there is less and less water. There is a mystery at the heart of this book. I thought it was masterfully written. 5 🌟 ##womensprizeforfiction

The question is: how many depressing books do I need to read before I give up on reading depressing books? This may have been the one to tip me over the edge. Or I need to up my dosage of Sam-e. 🥴😂 it‘s a terrific character study of a cranky alcoholic woman with no hope. Yes, there are reasons for this and yet even I had trouble rooting for her. Very readable though. Unfortunately. It would have been easier for me to stop reading it otherwise.

An entirely unlikable main character and a completely grim story- is it any surprise that I really did not enjoy listening to this audiobook? And yet there is something about it. I couldn‘t look away and I know it is not a book that will fade away until I can‘t really recall the details in a month or two. Is that enough to make it a pick? My answer today is I think so. Tomorrow I might think differently
#wpf25

In parts I actively disliked this; set in post-apartheid South Africa, Deirdre is a mess with no apparent desire to make changes. Her mother, in a care home, is convinced her presumably dead son is visiting her. Deirdre never visits. There‘s a drought, everyone is dirty, drinking too much. This was an unpleasant read, yet at the same time draws you in. I didn‘t love it, I‘m glad it‘s done, yet it‘s niggling at me and I guess that‘s the point 👇

This #wpf25 book is one of those where it‘s difficult to recommend to anyone - I listened to it with a ‘bad smell‘ look on my face throughout. The MC, a white South African amputee, is completely obnoxious and we learn all about her bodily functions as she liberally uses the f-word.

Having said that, I did appreciate this book and can see why it‘s on the list - it‘s challenging and I learnt something new about South African history.

I think it is best to go into this not knowing much, I feel like I expected something a bit more crime based from the synopsis. But this is more of a character study of a VERY unpleasant woman in the middle of a South African drought. Props to the writing here it feels visceral - the dryness the smells, it is uncomfortable. I felt a bit at sea about when things were happening. Overall not a favorite Women's Prize read. #WP25