We Are Not Such Things

This book, which is more of a 2.6 star read, would have benefited from an editor. Initially, I found “We Are Not Such Things” an engaging book, from the breakdown of events surrounding the murder of a young American woman to her parents' reconciliation with her murderers to how the apartheid and post-apartheid situation in created conditions ripe for her murder.

But, about halfway through, the author started to meander and rehash issues already discussed earlier in the novel. What really got to me was a section detailing every moment of one of the now-freed killer's romantic drama with a girlfriend. From there, I ended up skimming, even through the section of the second investigation related to Amy Biehl's murder. This type of digression occurs more and more frequently as the book progresses. While daily life and some personal details certainly help an audience not familiar with such things in South Africa feel like they're there, it can get overwhelming. And, frankly, I was surprised that the author went into the townships alone after pointing out how the very activity that put Amy Biehl into mortal danger was still not terribly wise.

I do think Ms. Van der Leun is a talented writer and would read another book of hers, but you must go into this one knowing it's going to get draggy. What's interesting about the book is the multiple points of view and an attempt to reconcile why someone might go to jail for a crime they didn't commit, but, instead, go to jail for a crime they did commit that few people knew about.