IF YOU WANT TO MAKE GOD LAUGH by Bianca Marais

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE GOD LAUGH by Bianca Marais

When I read a book like IF YOU WANT TO MAKE GOD LAUGH, my first thought is this: how lucky are we that words can be strung together to craft a plot so delicate with characters so real? I’m honestly confused at how this book hasn’t garnered more attention because it is MASTERFUL.⠀
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The book centers around the lives of three women living in South Africa immediately following Apartheid: Ruth, Delilah, and Zodwa. Ruth is an ex-stripper who married well (and often) and seems to have all the privilege in the world. Delilah is an excommunicated former nun struggling to make peace with the past and fix the future. Zodwa is a teenage girl, fighting against feelings and circumstances foreign and unacceptable in her Zulu community. That these three very different women would find their way to each other seems unlikely, and yet—as you grow with them and understand their plights—it seems like the most natural turn of fate. ⠀
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Over the course of these 400 or so pages, Ruth, Delilah, and Zodwa struggle with their faith and their identities, their pasts and their futures, the longings in their hearts and the bravery in their souls.⠀
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Bianca tackled heavy themes during a heavy time in South Africa with this book. And she did so with grace and a tailored eye toward perfect character development (I’ve never seen a better character arc than Ruth’s. Ever). These women felt so REAL to me. Heck, every character down to the faithful and unwavering loyalty of the dog in this story was masterful. And I can’t write this review without noting that Bianca’s intricate care to detail was incredibly evident in the way this story was crafted—the more I’ve sat here thinking about this book, the more I’ve put together.⠀
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There is so much power behind this story. And I urge you to read it.