The Conservationist
The Conservationist
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1974
Book Brief
272
Novel • Fiction
South Africa • 1970s
1974
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Conservationist by Nadine Gordimer chronicles the life of Mehring, a wealthy, racist businessman who buys a farm in 1970s South Africa, only to find his life unraveling amid personal and social turmoil. His strained relationships, discontented workers, and the discovery of a dead body on his land force him to confront uncomfortable truths about himself and the society he lives in. The book contains explicit depictions of racial inequality and sexual harassment.
Mysterious
Contemplative
Dark
Challenging
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
3,359 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Nadine Gordimer's The Conservationist showcases her masterful prose and deep engagement with South African socio-political issues. Critics praise its rich, symbolic language and complex character development. However, some find the narrative's dense, nonlinear style challenging. The novel's layered portrayal of apartheid's impact impresses but may demand patience and careful reading.
Who Should Read The Conservationist?
A reader who enjoys complex, character-driven narratives and themes of political and social change would appreciate Nadine Gordimer's The Conservationist. Fans of J.M. Coetzee's Disgrace or Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things will find similar reflections on personal and societal conflicts within post-apartheid South Africa.
3,359 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
272
Novel • Fiction
South Africa • 1970s
1974
Adult
18+ years
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