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lipglossmaffia's review against another edition
3.0
I bought this book at Ake Festival in 2018, Farah was the headline act and I had never heard of him before Ake fest. Apparently, he's a big deal, in the class of Achebe, Ngugi, Gordimar, etc, those folks who got into trouble for their writing pre & post independence and stuff. Anyhoo, that wasn't even my main attraction, he looks like my late grandpa and shares the same first name so, I thought, SERENDIPITY.
Hiding in Plain Sight is unlike any novel I've read before. I understand why it has a low rating on GoodReads and weirdass reviews. It demands your attention but there is nothing "serious" going on per se. The novel begins with a murder, but the plot uncovers, NOT the murderer and the motive, but the complex mental workings of the victim's sister, Bella. From Somali but transplanted to Italy, Bella is an internationally travelled celebrity photographer.
Now, she finds herself at a crossroads: Does she continue to live her life of luxury and freedom in Rome or does she move to Nairobi and take the burden of raising her half brother's children? There is also another "problem", The kids' mother, Valerie shows up to "reclaim" her children after a 14-year absence and it's clear that her motives are dubious. Duh.
This book fascinates me although I can't really say I find the writer's style particularly enjoyable. It's kinda like a meditation on trying to have family relationships in a world of dislocation and self-definition, as nationalities and cultures blend and are misremembered and redefined under social and financial pressures.
Nurruddin Farah is an acquired taste for sure, I'm going to read one more of his books before I conclude if he's for me or not. Do you know of this writer?
Hiding in Plain Sight is unlike any novel I've read before. I understand why it has a low rating on GoodReads and weirdass reviews. It demands your attention but there is nothing "serious" going on per se. The novel begins with a murder, but the plot uncovers, NOT the murderer and the motive, but the complex mental workings of the victim's sister, Bella. From Somali but transplanted to Italy, Bella is an internationally travelled celebrity photographer.
Now, she finds herself at a crossroads: Does she continue to live her life of luxury and freedom in Rome or does she move to Nairobi and take the burden of raising her half brother's children? There is also another "problem", The kids' mother, Valerie shows up to "reclaim" her children after a 14-year absence and it's clear that her motives are dubious. Duh.
This book fascinates me although I can't really say I find the writer's style particularly enjoyable. It's kinda like a meditation on trying to have family relationships in a world of dislocation and self-definition, as nationalities and cultures blend and are misremembered and redefined under social and financial pressures.
Nurruddin Farah is an acquired taste for sure, I'm going to read one more of his books before I conclude if he's for me or not. Do you know of this writer?
axmed's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lipglossmaffia's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.0
Uninspiring read.
buzz's review against another edition
1.0
There were two key reasons why I wanted - no needed - to read this book. First, the book is set mainly in my hometown - Nairobi. Second, I hoped I would learn more about the Somali community which I feel is deeply misunderstood. The fact that it is written by Nuruddin Farah was an added bonus.
The start of the book was gripping, unfortunately that was the only part that I enjoyed. There was too much author commentary and it didn't help that the author got some of the things about my hometown wrong. Yes, yes, it's a work of fiction but if you are going to write about London, you wouldn't include the Statue of Liberty.
All in all, I finished the book because I am a completer finisher like that.
The start of the book was gripping, unfortunately that was the only part that I enjoyed. There was too much author commentary and it didn't help that the author got some of the things about my hometown wrong. Yes, yes, it's a work of fiction but if you are going to write about London, you wouldn't include the Statue of Liberty.
All in all, I finished the book because I am a completer finisher like that.
turiwat's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
angelasunshine's review against another edition
2.0
I'm confused about what the story is here. This felt unfinished, I was waiting for an actual plot to take shape but it never did.
crazytourists_books's review against another edition
1.0
Not what I expected. Nothing seems possible, the dialogues are kind of wooden and unreal and the whole tone of the book is patronising. I am disappointed, I have to admit.
knitterscasket's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not completely satisfied with the resolution of this book but I'm also okay with that. I think I've read too many thrillers, so I was a little too perched on the edge of my seat for additional drama. But I enjoyed the development of the characters and their sympathetic portrayals as this family drama unfolds.