[.ca] Covenant (ISBN 0449214206)

If only my History teachers were like Mr. Michener...:
Nowadays we hardly see an author's commitment with his project as James Michener has done with most of his books. "Hawaii", "Caribbean", "Texas", "Alaska" and "Chesapeake", among others, show such a level of research, understanding of the subject and respect to the readers that most modern (and popular) authors would never understand or know how to do it. Michener's "The covenant" is a history lesson without having to attend class. South Africa is the subject of this lecture. From the indigenous people, to the Dutch and posterior English colonization, and finally the heinous apartheid regime, South Africa is dissected, analyzed and explained. Once again, Michener doesn't concentrate on people, but on the land. The characters are a little stereothypical, but that's on purpose: Michener uses his characters to explain what happens in a determined historical period. What is best, Michener was able to distanciate himself from the controversial history of this country; he presents the facts, good or bad, whether caused by Afrikaner, English or Native Black people, and lets the reader judge for himself. One other thing we have to remember: the book ends in 1979, before De Klerk increasingly opened the country to democracy, so the final chapter of the book sounds almost prophetic. And one thing I didn't understand is that Nelson Mandela wasn't mentioned even once in the book; that's strange. Mandela hadn't yet been released from prison in 1979 and maybe didn't have the same international exposure, but he certainly had been representative as a member of the ANC in the 50s and 60s. Michener created a character that goes through the same problems as Mandela did in real life, but that's not enough to represent South Africa's first black president . Anyway, Michener is one of my favorite authors, and his passing away should be mourned by all those who enjoy an accurate historical fiction. Grade 9.4/10

Monumental:
This most fascinating of books tells the story of South Africa in the form of an Epic. It traces the history of South Africa, from the arrival of the first black Africans, through to the cementing of apartheid (the book having been first published in 1980). To a certain extent, the book traces the history of South Africa through the history of a certain (fictional) family, the Van Doorns. As the story strides through history, we see the various members of the family born, make their mark upon history, and then pass on. Along the way, the story takes many sidetracks, showing the history of other people and groups that also affected South African history, as they also join the narrative. It's hard to say too much about this book. It is simply monumental in its scope, and yet in execution it is wonderfully simple and easy to read. Having read this book (in two volumes), I now feel a much deeper understanding of the history of South Africa, and the varied people who live there, than I could ever have gotten from a history book. The book is very even-handed, showing the heights and the depths that people of all colors can reach to. Overall, I think that this is one of the most important books that I have ever read, and certainly one of the most masterfully written. I cannot recommend this book enough!

History lesson without the lecture:
A friend of mine purchased this book for me while we were working on a research project in South Africa. It was just after I had confronted my Afrikaaner co-workers about their racist words, and they proved me ignorant about the country's history. I know firsthand what the people in both the cities and the veld are like, and this book really shed light on how the people of Africa came to be the way they are. History embedded in exciting fiction. One reviewer said that he thought the book lacked passion. How untrue. During a subway ride to 59th street, I started to cry uncontrollably because the words hit me with such strength. This book will make you want to visit Africa, and to live your life with devotion to some belief, whatever it may be.

Far from his best:
In books like Chesapeake, Hawaii and Alaska, the pages just fly by. You get so drawn into the tale that you feel like the characters are real people that you know. It's entertainment first, education second. 'Covenant' does not live up to this standard. I found myself simply not caring about the characters, and just waiting (longing) for the end of each chapter. A lot of it is just dull. 'Covenant' is not as bad as 'Mexico' - that was a true shocker - but it is a long way from Michener at his best. Read it if you're a fan, but if you're looking to get into Michener choose another.

A great introduction to a complex place:
This is the 1st Michener I ever read. It was recommended to me by a native South African when I asked him about books that would help me learn more about his facinating homeland. I had been to South Africa twice on business and wanted to learn more. I throughly enjoyed this book. The beginning was a bit slow but it kept getting better as it progressed. I finished reading this book shortly before touching down in Johannesburg for my 3d visit to South Africa, and I must say it gave me a whole new prespective on this complex nation. If I have any complaints they are that the period after the Nationalist party takes over isn't given much coverage, and that after finishing the book I was left wishing Michener would write a follow-up that covers from the last 20 years!