It is relatively a short novel and one could read it in one or two sittings. In spite of it being short, it contains many themes and all of them are adequately treated. 
 For instance this is a novel about: 
 - South Africa and its history. 
 - the contrast between the Western way and the African Way. 
 - the contrast between the Urban set up and the Rural set up. 
 - the feeling of shame/disgrace borne off horrible past and unchecked passions. 
 - the story of people who possess the mad hearts. 
 A small explanation for the last remark: 
 The explanation for the people of mad hearts is given in the book itself. It goes like this: A person who 'does what he feels like. He doesn't care if it's good or bad. He just does it.' He is 'a being who chooses his own path, who lives dangerously, even creating danger for himself.' Almost all the important characters in this book can be associated with this concept in one way or the other. The allusions are everywhere. From one single aspect, the author alludes to many possibilities. For instance, a single observation applies to most of the characters and the beauty is that it applies to each one in a different way. 
 I know that I have not hinted at anything of the plot or the narration. That is because, I do not want to reveal anything. But then I advise you to read the book and I assure you that you will be rewarded immensely.