Reviews
The Beggars’ Signwriters
Shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize 2007.
Shortlisted for the 2007 University of Johannesburg debut Prize.
“Greenberg has written a novel which reminded me of how soothing good writing can be. His characters are drawn with a gentle perception and his ability to translate female thoughts is especially remarkable. … His descriptions of the details of food preparation are a joy to read.
But it is not only with women that he finds his mark. He has written a story which sprawls across the minutiae of life. Greenberg’s style reminds me of Robert Altman’s camera shots.”
Janet van Eeden, The Witness, 9 August 2006
Selected as one of Barry Ronge’s favourite books of the season in Books & Leisure, November 2006: “This interesting South African novel starts in Melville … one woman takes with her a psychological obsession with pain and abuse which started in her childhood and blossoms into dangerous sexual games … It’s erotic but not sexy. It’s more about the way the scars of a life lived in South Africa express themselves in unexpected and dangerous ways.”
10 things Colleen Higgs loved about The Beggars’ Signwriters
“Finely observed, touching, funny, and so beautifully written. I usually read crime novels, so this was a departure from the bloodstained halls of my preferred genre, but I’m surprised what a pleasant departure it was, and how involved I became in the lives of the characters.”
Jassy Mackenzie
“The Beggars’ Signwriters has a fascinating architecture. Louis uncovers people’s foibles and failings with great tenderness and insight. His portrayal of the muse, fickle, withholding and erratically munificent, is particularly apt.”
Liesl Jobson
“It’s heady stuff, insightfully narrated, that looks at the nature of art and the existential drama of just being alive. Greenberg gets convincingly into the minds of his varied characters.”
“Williams Choice”, Northcliff & Melville Times, 30 June 2006
“Greenberg’s writing is both delicate and controlled, his observations astute and his eye for emotional detail fine. … The real strength of the book lies not in its ‘message’, nor in its contrivances, but in its sensitivity and the precision with which Greenberg has captured the difficulty of life in a 21st century city, the fragmentation of dreams in its jaws … For this reason, it is both rewarding and instructive.”
Gwen Podbrey, Jewish Reporter, 7 July 2006
“Die verhaal is onderhoudend geskryf en ‘n mens word gou betrek by hul intriges.”
Marius Crous, Beeld, 2 October 2006
“This novel is as directionless as the characters created by the writer. One has a difficult time to figure out what the point of writing this book might be. I cannot recommend this book to any reading audience.”
Cecil Abrahams, African Book Publishing Record, August 2007
“If you have ever wanted to be a fly on the wall, to know what goes on behind closed doors, and even better, inside people’s minds, you will get a kick out of The Beggars’ Signwriters.”
Amanda Blankfield, The Write Co
“Greenberg se skryftalent blyk duidelik uit sy debuut. … Die beeld van die bedelaar se advertensiebord … [is] ‘n kragtige, oorspronklike metafoor”
Salome Snyman, Rapport, 30 July 2006
“His novel draws the reader in with its detailed descriptions, recognisably South African situations and characters, and warm narrative.”
Warren Robertson, People, 29 June 2007
“Louis Greenberg’s debut novel is an interesting and daring venture … Greenberg’s writing is insightful, the descriptions are vivid and he provides substantial depth. In many instances his characterisation is superb and he has a remarkable talent for getting inside the head of any character, be it a middle-aged academic or a teenage girl.”
Trish Murphy, Sunday Independent, 30 July 2006
“One looks forward to Greenberg’s next novel. I hope it’s set in Melville – what with wiccans, Satanists, artists, street artists, galleries, gays, lesbians, shushi restaurants, lounges, and a very buzzy nightlife, it’s an exciting place for a book! And it’s a completely different Johannesburg to Vladislavic’s who can get a quiet art out of the ordinary, the everyday. Greenberg revs up through fiction and plot.”
Read the Bookmark review on artslink.co.za by William Pretorius.
Read an interview with Bruce Dennill of The Citizen, 22 September 2006.
