George Rampai is the author of the
novel, From where I stand (2012) a fictional work. What to make of this
work? Firstly is the book a novel? It certainly is! The book is at least 160
pages in length.
It definitely has a plot, a good
beginning and end (as regards the main story; as a thriller) The author also
writes well, with general fine descriptions. Again we might ask: what about the
characterization?
Does the author create well-rounded,
plausible figures? To a large extent he does; especially Danny (the protagonist
himself) Moliehi the lady, and a few others. And what about the aspects many
critics so far find objectionable? The philandering (playboy-ish) nature of the
protagonist and narrator!
It is undeniable that in this modern world
most women will not like the references to a man’s lust and apparent desire to
sleep with virtually every woman he meets. Yet perhaps we must also point out
that from the very beginning, the narrator has admitted his terrible weakness
for women.
This weakness cooks his goose but in the
end all goes well for him at least; the criminals are rounded up; Danny gets a
fine financial reward from the police, and at least two women in his life seem
ready to accommodate him, even have babies for him! Chauvinistic and sexist,
perhaps.
Yet Danny does not feel as if he has
done anything wrong. It might be old-fashioned in these days of feminism at its
height – but that’s the way it is. This does not make this novel any less
exciting. Mr Rampai has done very well to put this memorable work together,
despite the misgivings over how women are portrayed in the work.
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