Reviews

Dreams in a Time of War by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

sczerz's review against another edition

dark emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

muravyevaa's review

adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

3.25

This book is packed with information and it definitely makes it so captivating. However, the style on narration is not exactly my cup of tea which made me pause on the book not in the “I need to pause and think what I just read” way but more in a “I need to take a break from this book for a bit before I find resources for it again”. It is a very reflective read and an important one as it talks about colonialism, civil war, and other related problems from a perspective of the colonised. Only for that it is a must read because it is still rather rare. 

tbim's review against another edition

3.0

My background in linguistics came in handy butchering the names of the seemingly endless people mentioned by Nugugi. I tried; African authors just aren't my cup of tea.

kofi_dzogbewu's review against another edition

4.0

Such a great read. Totally recommended.

callanisreading's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

Ngũgĩ approaches adolescence in the midst of Kenya's struggle for independence. In his memoirs, he details his life-long search for knowledge and the ways colonialism, rebellion, class, religion, and tradition shape the man he will one day become. This moving portrait of a country's beginnings explores a complex history that has left an indelible legacy on Kenya and wa Thiong'o.

lump's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative tense slow-paced

3.25

lurchio2509's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

100booksyearly's review

informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

Captivating childhood memoir of Ngũgĩ wa WanjikũThiong’o born fifth child of the third wife out 24 children of his father. Dreams in a Time of War speaks to the human right to dream even in the worst of times, capturing Kikuyu land political, cultural and geographicalhistory pre and colonial era. Formal Education development in Central Kenya. And Mau Mau armed struggle for Kenya’s independence.

 

sophiecatherine's review against another edition

4.0

Very interesting plot, good if interested in kenyan history. Solid storytelling, the amount of namedropping got me confused though.

tamaramo's review against another edition

4.0

A collection of anecdotes that shows how greatness is grown. Dreams in a time of war reminds us to remember the kids who are exceptional by just surviving and becoming who they are in whatever circumstances they are given. As adults/elders our actions and words are very impressionable and a little can go a long way. Furthermore, we can learn a lot from kids who show us how to learn a lot from the world, any world.