blackash13's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I was eager to read this book because the synopsis lent a feeling of otherworldliness that intrigued me. It described an abiku, or spirit child, born into the human world but who decides to remain human. His companions from the spirit realm then decide to bring him back to the spirit world. I also had never read anything from an African author so I was looking forward to this. However, it wasn't long before I found it a chore to finish the book. I largely felt that the story had no direction and did not match up with my impressions from the synopsis. There was not much about the boy's choice to remain human or about the other spirits' attempts to bring him home. I felt the story focused more on his day to day life and his father's personal development.
The postmodern writing style was new to me and did not suit my tastes. This is what really contributed to my feelings that the writing was just all over the place. I couldn't make heads or trails of what the authors true purpose was in telling this story. There were clear measures about the political and economic climate in African nations but I just didn't know what the author wanted this book to be.
Oddly enough, the final chapter represented a clear departure from the style of the rest of the book and I found it energizing, but it was too little too late.
The postmodern writing style was new to me and did not suit my tastes. This is what really contributed to my feelings that the writing was just all over the place. I couldn't make heads or trails of what the authors true purpose was in telling this story. There were clear measures about the political and economic climate in African nations but I just didn't know what the author wanted this book to be.
Oddly enough, the final chapter represented a clear departure from the style of the rest of the book and I found it energizing, but it was too little too late.
gabbiec's review against another edition
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
teffin's review against another edition
2.0
I don't think I get this book at all. It felt like a real slog, every so often there'd be a page or so I found interesting but then it would get back to confusing or dull stuff.
sierras12's review against another edition
4.75
really enjoyed this book, there were so many weird and wonderful moments. occasionally the verbiage got a little too metaphysical/florid in a way that took me out for a moment but overall it was a really poignant look into poverty and political upheaval through a spiritual and magical lens.
emr158's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
diggitalot's review against another edition
2.0
När ett barn föds vet det redan att de tillhör de döda och att det inte kommer att bli äldre än 21 år. Vi får följa barnets kamp om att stanna i världen och göra sina föräldrar lyckliga. OK, men jag hade förväntat mig något mer av den här boken med en så bra tanke bakom.
der_schafsmann's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Ein Meisterwerk des magischen Realismus. Okri gewährt uns einen Einblick in eine verborgene, unbekannte und von Mythen durchsetzte Welt. Absolut faszinierend und bereichernd. Es wird der Alltag im Chaos gezeigt, bei dem das unbezwingbare Feuer des Chaos aus der irdischen und der Geisterwelt angefacht und unentwegt gefüttert wird. Und im Mittelpunkt Azaro, ein Geisterkind, dass sich trotz aller Unwägbarkeiten entschlossen hat, auf der verletzenden Welt zu bleiben und nicht den lieblichen Stimmen seiner Geisterkind-Geschwister wieder zurück zu folgen in ihre Welt.
Wir bekommen einen Einblick in das Leben in Nigeria, einem Land voller Mythen, Sagen und Konflikten, die dieses Land zu einem pulsierenden Flecken Erde macht.
Wir bekommen einen Einblick in das Leben in Nigeria, einem Land voller Mythen, Sagen und Konflikten, die dieses Land zu einem pulsierenden Flecken Erde macht.
binstonbirchill's review against another edition
4.0
First off, I really enjoyed Okri’s prose. In The Famished Road the spirit world and real world Nigeria collide for an entertaining ride but overall it’s not really to my taste as it reads much like a series of connected short stories.
mellanclear's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
3.25