Empire Settings

Rating:
Summary: Met author at a book reading at a University
Review: David's voice of his characters are true, his voice is true and this nobel is incredibly honest. For all you out there who havent read empire settings, do so now.

Rating:
Summary: a smenial..heart palpatating book
Review: Empire Setting is one those very rare books that makes you feel "warm inside". It is simply magical!

It capture the emotions of humanity in a South African Setting.
It is written by an author who is gifted with an extremely fluid and natural style.

I feel lucky to have stumbled on this book. It definitely rates in the "cannot put it down" category and It goes right to the TOP of my list for gift giving this holiday season

Rating:
Summary: Empire plunder
Review: I am eager to see if future fiction from Mr. Schmahmann has the same very personal voice as this first novel. Although the voices of each narrator is done well, the main character's voice was especially convincing and moving. Definitely high in my ranking of books by emigres, and at least as much about growing up and being dislocated over time as it is about the love story. If you are feeling jaded and bored with the same topical material being used by every book, radio interview, movie and magazine, check this book out.

Rating:
Summary: For crying out loud, the author's from South Africa!
Review: I know the author from having opposed him in court (I'm a lawyer, too). I'm also a writer who doesn't like to see authors trashed by people who make false assumptions, as one reviewer made. As anyone who has ever held a conversation with him would know, David is from South Africa, and his voice is authentic.

Rating:
Summary: For crying out loud, the author's from South Africa!
Review: I know the author from having opposed him in court (I'm a lawyer, too). I'm also a writer who doesn't like to see authors trashed by people who make false assumptions, as one reviewer made. s anyone who has evr held a conversation with him would know, David is from South Africa, and his voice is authentic.

Rating:
Summary: Empire plunder
Review: The main character, is very unsympathetic from a socio- political viewpoint. His life has been one of taking from others. He took from the priviledged life of a young South African in Apartheid era South Africa. He took the love of a colored girl and didn't bother to seek her out for 20 years. He took the love of a Boston girl to obtain permanent residence in the US. Once a successful Boston businessman, he returns to South Africa to repatriate the family fortune. Instead of giving something of himself back to the people who underpinned his priviledged life, he turns his back once again on his former lover and his country, and seeks self gratification once again in the arms of Boston.

I also grew up in South Africa and understand the notions of this character. I sense that this novel is autobiographical. If so, I have nothing but scorn for the self-centeredness of the author. America has taught him well as he has discarded all notions of humanity which is thankfully still evident in the oppressed people of South Africa that cross his path.

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Summary: Only in Fiction Can Political Correctness Thrive...
Review: The very premise of this story is as implausible as it is bitter to all reason. Only an American would write about South Africa from the American perspective. Has the author ever ventured beyond the border of this very country? He uses the age old propaganda view of America that interracial relationships are sustainable and viable. Unlike America where such is possible he places his story in the hotbed of racial tensions. His is the exception to find any white that would view a black girl as an equal let alone as a lover. Its time we stop choking the system with stories of how the impossible is possible and we should meld together. In some societies, in some settings, that just doesn't work. This is a state that was a civilized version of Nazi Germany where they segregated rather than butchered. Enough with the "Romeo-esqe" literature. We are all equal but don't try to shove this trash about how it can exist anywhere. Try some research and keep your dreams to those areas from where they find conception. At least he admitted it was fiction.

Rating:
Summary: complex and moving
Review: This is a wonderfully moving, bittersweet story, told with an authentic and honest voice. All the characters became absolutely real in the telling of the story. The author captures the complexity of emotions felt by South African emigres as well as anyone I've read. (He also captures the feel of Durban so exactly that I got a slight shock when I looked up from the book and saw my own back yard.) The main character's coming to terms with himself and his past brought tears to my eyes. I can't wait for Schmahmann's next book!

Rating:
Summary: complex and moving
Review: This is a wonderfully moving, bittersweet story, told with an authentic and honest voice. All the characters became absolutely real in the telling of the story. The author captures the complexity of emotions felt by South African emigres as well as anyone I've read. (He also captures the feel of Durban so exactly that I got a slight shock when I looked up from the book and saw my own back yard.) The main character's coming to terms with himself and his past brought tears to my eyes. I can't wait for Schmahmann's next book!