mskanyegenya's review
2.0
This was my first Nuruddin Farah and I must say I was disappointed. I really hope this is perhaps one of his lesser works. The story felt overdone and forced, the characters exaggerated.
mokey4's review
3.0
I enjoyed reading this book, at times I enjoyed reading it a lot. I found nearly all the characters to be complex and likeable. Though it had some flaws.
I found the description of Bella's approach to her love life not very believable, and the scene with one of her lovers painted her in a rather unattractive light- I wondered if Farah was trying to point out that she could be hypocritical, though nothing else in the book pointed to that. So Bella was the weakest character for me, which is too bad since she was the main character.
There were a few scenes in this book that seemed superfluous and were not even interesting to read or well written. So it's not a tightly written or edited book.
I would only recommend this book to people who like to read a lot of African novelists. Otherwise I would be concerned that it might give a bad impression of African fiction, and that's not fair. There are a lot of better books out there. This one is fine for what it is. One thing I really appreciated was learning a bit about Somali culture, which I know little about. And the challenges gay people face in different cultures.
I found the description of Bella's approach to her love life not very believable, and the scene with one of her lovers painted her in a rather unattractive light- I wondered if Farah was trying to point out that she could be hypocritical, though nothing else in the book pointed to that. So Bella was the weakest character for me, which is too bad since she was the main character.
There were a few scenes in this book that seemed superfluous and were not even interesting to read or well written. So it's not a tightly written or edited book.
I would only recommend this book to people who like to read a lot of African novelists. Otherwise I would be concerned that it might give a bad impression of African fiction, and that's not fair. There are a lot of better books out there. This one is fine for what it is. One thing I really appreciated was learning a bit about Somali culture, which I know little about. And the challenges gay people face in different cultures.
lynnmywin's review
1.0
It only skirts deep political issues. It's all very surface and fluffy. If it hadn't tried to be more than it is, which is a story about a family. I might have been more open its place in fiction. Don't waste your time.
somojones's review
2.0
The story started off interesting but once Bella came into the story line it fell flat for me. Nothing compelling or catchy just blah blah blah.
andrea_reads_theworld's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
mamaorgana80's review
2.0
Okay, so I wanted to like this book. I really did. So many dynamics in play--sexuality, world politics, cultural identity. Huge concepts, intriguing plot line. However, it mainly felt like a list of agenda-driven points re: politics and a man's take on female sexuality. It just wasn't successful.
A good way into the book, I found myself skimming just to finish. This line sums it up for me: "Bella stays out of it, saying nothing. She has lost interest in the discussion, which doesn't appear to be going anywhere." If your character feels this way, your reader probably does, too.
A good way into the book, I found myself skimming just to finish. This line sums it up for me: "Bella stays out of it, saying nothing. She has lost interest in the discussion, which doesn't appear to be going anywhere." If your character feels this way, your reader probably does, too.
thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Racism, Cancer, and Child abuse
Minor: Colonisation, Pedophilia, War, Terminal illness, and Sexual content
angelasunshine's review
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.
elenasquareeyes's review
3.0
When Bella's beloved half-brother Aar dies in a terrorist attack in Somalia she's in Rome, living her life as an aloof fashion photographer with no ties and responsibilities. But now her teenage nephew and niece are effectively orphaned (their mother Valerie walked out on them years ago) she must decide whether she can come to their rescue and be their guardian. She travels to Nairobi where the two are in school but confusion and tension lies ahead when Valerie resurfaces bringing her own baggage and claiming she wants full custody of her children.
Hiding in Plain Sight is a story about a family’s grief and different and sometimes strained familial relationships. Salif and Dahaba feel like realistic teenage siblings, they argue and Salif often find his younger sister annoying. While they both love and like their Aunt Bella they’re unused to her being their main authority figure and all three of them have to figure out where they stand with each other. Then there’s Valerie, an absent mother who’s often needy, selfish and quick to anger. She’s an unlikeable character for the most part but slowly you get to learn about her past and why she acts the way she does – though the story never really condones her actions.
The dialogue is a bit stilted in Hiding in Plain Sight. The language characters’ use is often very formal, even from the teenagers. This may be a cultural thing and perhaps a sign of respect as most the characters are Somali but it is still a bit weird seeing such formal language between close friends and family.
The story largely follows Bella's point of view though there are moments in the middle of chapters where it switches to someone else. This can be a bit jarring but it does offer an opportunity to see other characters’ thoughts and actions first-hand. Also sometimes characters reminisce about their past and there’s not always clear markers that the story’s taken a leap backwards, it’s an interesting way to learn more about the characters without it being a blatant info dump but it’s still a little confusing sometimes.
Hiding in Plain Sight is not only a book focusing on a family suffering a huge and sudden bereavement but it pulls in themes of identity, heritage and sexuality. Bella is Italian-Somali and her niece and nephew are Somali-British and have lived in Kenya for years. They all know multiple languages to varying degrees of proficiency and each have opinions on their identity and if their current home country sees them as an equal citizen or not. It’s an interesting look into how identities work, how religion and culture effect people in different ways and how you can choose how much you want to identify with a part of your heritage.
If you like stories focused on a family dealing with tragedy as well as themes of identity, culture and sexuality then you should give Hiding in Plain Sight a go.
Hiding in Plain Sight is a story about a family’s grief and different and sometimes strained familial relationships. Salif and Dahaba feel like realistic teenage siblings, they argue and Salif often find his younger sister annoying. While they both love and like their Aunt Bella they’re unused to her being their main authority figure and all three of them have to figure out where they stand with each other. Then there’s Valerie, an absent mother who’s often needy, selfish and quick to anger. She’s an unlikeable character for the most part but slowly you get to learn about her past and why she acts the way she does – though the story never really condones her actions.
The dialogue is a bit stilted in Hiding in Plain Sight. The language characters’ use is often very formal, even from the teenagers. This may be a cultural thing and perhaps a sign of respect as most the characters are Somali but it is still a bit weird seeing such formal language between close friends and family.
The story largely follows Bella's point of view though there are moments in the middle of chapters where it switches to someone else. This can be a bit jarring but it does offer an opportunity to see other characters’ thoughts and actions first-hand. Also sometimes characters reminisce about their past and there’s not always clear markers that the story’s taken a leap backwards, it’s an interesting way to learn more about the characters without it being a blatant info dump but it’s still a little confusing sometimes.
Hiding in Plain Sight is not only a book focusing on a family suffering a huge and sudden bereavement but it pulls in themes of identity, heritage and sexuality. Bella is Italian-Somali and her niece and nephew are Somali-British and have lived in Kenya for years. They all know multiple languages to varying degrees of proficiency and each have opinions on their identity and if their current home country sees them as an equal citizen or not. It’s an interesting look into how identities work, how religion and culture effect people in different ways and how you can choose how much you want to identify with a part of your heritage.
If you like stories focused on a family dealing with tragedy as well as themes of identity, culture and sexuality then you should give Hiding in Plain Sight a go.