A Guest of Honour

The title pretty much says it all. Despite what the other review says, all of Gordimer's work is still relevant. It is the human feeling and emotion she uses to describe past events that make them understandable to us in the present day. Not only is this a book about historical events- it is an eternal story about human interactions and love. Gordimer has a rare gift that allows the reader to see these past events as representations of human actions, thought processes, and feelings that are repeated around the world today and across time. This book is a little hard to get into, but if you get through it and can understand it- it is a story you will never forget. Gordimer's ability to tell such a complex and human story is awe-inspiring. This one still haunts me, and I read it a long time ago.