BOOK BRIEF

Mine Boy

Peter Abrahams
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Mine Boy

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1989

Book Brief

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Peter Abrahams

Mine Boy

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1989
Book Details
Pages

184

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Johannesburg, South Africa • 1940s

Publication Year

1989

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

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Super Short Summary

Mine Boy by Peter Abrahams explores the life of a young man named Xuma who relocates to Johannesburg seeking work in the gold mines. The story delves into his experiences navigating the challenges of labor exploitation and racial discrimination in apartheid-era South Africa, highlighting his personal growth and the social issues affecting individuals and their communities.

Gritty

Challenging

Melancholic

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.2

1,134 ratings

71%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Peter Abrahams' Mine Boy is praised for its vivid portrayal of apartheid-era South Africa and the life of black mine workers. Readers appreciate Abrahams' ability to humanize his characters and present social issues with empathy. However, some find the narrative pace uneven. Overall, it is a powerful exploration of racial and social injustice.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Mine Boy?

A reader who appreciates Mine Boy by Peter Abrahams would enjoy powerful narratives on racial injustice and social change, similar to Richard Wright's Native Son and Alan Paton's Cry, the Beloved Country. They would be drawn to compelling characters, historical context, and themes of resilience and identity.

4.2

1,134 ratings

71%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

184

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Johannesburg, South Africa • 1940s

Publication Year

1989

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

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