The Blessed Girl
SYNOPSIS
When you are accustomed to the finer things in life – designer shoes, champagne, VIP lounges, exotic holidays abroad, a luxury penthouse, expensive wheels – what independent young woman in her right mind would want to let them go? Certainly not the beautiful, ambitious and super-streetsmart Bontle Tau, the girl who has used her good looks and winning charm all her life to get exactly what she wants. The lifestyle doesn’t come cheap, though, nor does maintaining the body that allows it (just ask Dr Heinz at the beauty clinic). Luckily, Bontle has a degree in MENcology, and there is no shortage of blessers at her penthouse door, eager to give her all the love and (financial) support she needs. Papa Jeff might be overweight and getting on a bit, and receiving some unwanted attention from the Hawks; and Teddy might not have fully come through for her on that messed-up tender business; but Mr Emmanuel, the Nigerian businessman with deep pockets and the possibility of conferring second wife status… could that be love?
Keeping all her boyfriends happy and living a fabulous life is not without its challenges. With so many people clamouring for Bontle’s attention – from her shebeen queen mother Gladys in Mamelodi, who is taking strain bringing up her teenaged brother, Golokile, on her own; to her girlfriends, Iris and Tsholo; not to mention her soon-to-be ex-husband, the ever-patient, ever-loving Ntokozo, Bontle barely has time to post on Instagram these days. Sooner or later something’s got to give …
“This book was a page turner, I could not wait to get to the next page and the next. It reflects our society. I found myself conflicted, at times I was rooting for Bontle wanting her to win but I also judged.
I also loved the other themes in the book of such as mental health, family, friendships and poverty. I found Bontle to be a denialist. She refused to take responsibility nor accountability for her actions.”
– Gugu
“I really enjoyed this book. There are so many parts of this book that stood out. Firstly it was great to read a South African, local author that was able to paint such a vivid picture of the inner workings of the relationship between a blesser and a blessee. The story is also written in a way that Bontle (the main character) writing a memoir of her life. This was such a wonderful way of telling her story. A flawed character and very unreliable narrator and wow so many twists and turns.
It was a great read and is highly recommended.”
– Coleen Cloete