Shelf Control #106 – 21/08/2026
My latest Shelf Control is an interesting feature. It’s a Booker Prize Winner from 2021. I’m intrigued to try more prize winning books, in case you hadn’t gathered based on earlier posts this year. I also like reading books that tackle societal issues. Today’s feature handles race and discrimination. As much as I don’t like to read that it happens, I do like books that bring the issue to the fore and challenge it!
Before I get into the details of today’s particular feature, here’s a recap of what this Shelf Control feature is all about.
Shelf Control is a meme run by Lisa at Bookshelf Fantasies; a celebration of the unread books on our shelves! The idea is to pick a book you own but haven’t read and write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up.
If you want to read more about the Shelf Control feature, check out Lisa’s introductory post.
The Promise – Damon Galgut

Genre: literary ficton Â
Pages: 304
Audience: Adult
Publisher: Chatto and Windus
Publication Date: 17 Jun 2021
Discover the powerful prizewinning story of a family in crisis.
The Promise charts the crash and burn of a white South African family, living on a farm outside Pretoria. The Swarts are gathering for Ma’s funeral. The younger generation, Anton and Amor, detest everything the family stand for – not least the failed promise to the Black woman who has worked for them her whole life. After years of service, Salome was promised her own house, her own land… yet somehow, as each decade passes, that promise remains unfulfilled.
In this story of a diminished family, sharp and tender emotional truths hit home. Confident, deft and quietly powerful, The Promise is literary fiction at its finest.
My Thoughts
I enjoy stories that highlight the injustices of our past, and sadly, still out present. Whilst it’s much less commonplace now, we can’t say racial discrimination isn’t part of our culture.
I can’t say I’ve read any fiction set in South Africa, but I have no doubt the story is one we have seen time and again throughout history. I’m a form believer in reading these stories and perspectives to learn from them. To avoid history repeating itself. Whilst that only really works if many others in society take the same approach, I can only be responsible for myself. And, hopefully persuade you to pick up The Promise as well.
I was gifted a copy of this book not long after it came out. With it already on my bookshelves ready to read, my intention is to try and get to this one before the end of 2026.
Have you read The Promise yet? If so, what did you make of it? I personally can’t wait to give it a try!

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