44 pages • 1 hour read
Damon GalgutThe Promise
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Promise, written by Damon Galgut, traces the lives of the Swart family, a white family of Dutch descent, through the backdrop of South Africa's sociopolitical evolution post-apartheid. The novel's four parts chronicle the passing of key family members, revealing their internal conflicts, particularly around a broken promise to grant their Black maid, Salome, ownership of her home. The narrative unfolds with a wandering, fluid point of view reminiscent of early 20th-century literary modernism. This book contains issues related to systemic racism, death, and suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Promise by Damon Galgut has garnered critical acclaim for its intricate narrative and deep exploration of family dynamics and South African societal shifts. Praised for masterful prose and compelling characters, it also faced criticism for its occasionally overwhelming bleakness and slow pacing. Balanced and thought-provoking, it resonates with literary merit and emotional depth.
Who Should Read The Promise?
Readers who appreciate intricate family dynamics and socio-political themes, much like in Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee or The Good Doctor by Damon Galgut, will find The Promise compelling. Ideal for those interested in a richly woven narrative set in post-apartheid South Africa.