Spilt Milk

Kopano Matlwa has published a second book, Spilt Milk. The fact that I am highlighting it today may be seen as controversial since the reviews have not been brilliant. Yes, I read those reviews, too. They seemed to be summed up into three camps:

1 - Spilt Milk is not the same as Coconut. This is a common criticism reviewers throw at second books, which is strange, because one would think it was clear that when a reviewer is handed a different book, complete with a different title, they would realise it is in fact a different book. 

So while the review is accurate, it seems rather silly to state the obvious - yes?
 

2 - Spilt Milk is trivialising the issues by comparing South Africa's problems to knocking over a glass of milk. 

Which makes me wonder if the reviewers stating such complaints read past the title. But we are all entitled to our own opinion, I guess.

3 - Spilt Milk is not as good as Coconut; therefore, don't read it.

Now this is the review that always boggles my mind. Does this mean that the book is rubbish, or just that it isn't my favourite flavour of ice cream? Because Coconut was an amazing read, one of my top flavours of ice cream, if you will. So while Spilt Milk was not my favourite flavour of ice cream, the book was still very tasty.

Which all leads me to wondering if Matwala had never written her first book, would people be slamming this book in the way they are? Hmmmm....

So here are my thoughts on the book, without comparing it to her other one - Book Club. People like to read different books, and book clubs are no different. At book clubs I have taken part in we read a a huge range. We got time - we attacked The Mangus. Summer holidays, people going away, we read May Contain Nuts. The key was that regardless of easy or brain aching - the book must be one that could spark conversation. Spilt Milk does that. It is a well paced read, perfect for those months where book club members don't have time to read thick tomes, but want a book with enough meat to provide stimulating conversation. 

SA, UK, or find a local independent bookstore.

Comments

[Damaria Senne]

Sometimes I ignore reviews (good or bad) when i buy a book, because either I like the author, the blurb made me curious or I'm willing to take a chance. I wish more SOuth African readers would take a chance and try out more local authors...

[Po]

Thanks for the tipoff, am always looking for SA books, specially ones I don't have to ship over.