Book Review: If You Want to Make God Laugh by Bianca Marais

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In a squatter camp on the outskirts of Johannesburg, seventeen-year-old Zodwa lives in desperate poverty, under the shadowy threat of a civil war and a growing AIDS epidemic. Eight months pregnant, Zodwa carefully guards secrets that jeopardize her life.

Across the country, wealthy socialite Ruth appears to have everything her heart desires, but it's what she can't have that leads to her breakdown. Meanwhile, in Zaire, a disgraced former nun, Delilah, grapples with a past that refuses to stay buried. When these personal crises send both middle-aged women back to their rural hometown to heal, the discovery of an abandoned newborn baby upends everything, challenging their lifelong beliefs about race, motherhood, and the power of the past.

As the mystery surrounding the infant grows, the complicated lives of Zodwa, Ruth, and Delilah become inextricably linked. What follows is a mesmerizing look at family and identity that asks: How far will the human heart go to protect itself and the ones it loves?

Review:

I had to read this book for #notyomamasbookclub this month. At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book since it’s not my preferred genre. When I went on the library website the ebook and physical book were both available. I took that as a sign and decided to check out a copy. Best decision I have ever made. Once I started reading it I COULD NOT STOP! Who needs sleep? The women in this book were diverse but in many ways the same. This story is one that will stay with me for a very long time. I’m so happy I took a chance on this story because ‘If You Want To Make God Laugh’ has become one of my top reads for this year. Making that list is no easy feat because I am a lifelong and very picky reader. I feel this story is best to go in blind which is why I am being vague in my review. Trust me, it is better this way. I highly recommend that you read and fall in love with this story the same way I did. It will change your life.