The Promise

Although Amor is set apart from Astrid and Anton as a more sympathetic character, does she share any traits with them? Are there any qualities that unite all three Swart siblings, despite their obvious differences?

While Galgut could have inserted page breaks as indications that the reader can mentally pause in some places, such as between days or between major events, he does not. How would the experience of reading the novel have been different if Galgut inserted page or chapter breaks? Why do you think he chose not to do so?

In some moments, the novel’s narrative voice sounds like a chorus with a deep knowledge of the Swarts’ hometown. For instance, in Part 1 the narrative voice says, “So the only people who were with Rachel Swart when her time came were her husband, aka Pa or Manie, and the black girl, what’s her name again, Salome, who obviously doesn’t count” (35). Who did you think those moments are meant to evoke? Local elders? God? Galgut himself? Someone else?