Reviews

Paradise by Abdulrazak Gurnah

nebelbaer's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

msmagoo502's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful tense 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? No

5.0

mickey_dimitrova's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

wilkerwyrm's review against another edition

4.0

An excellent examination of what it was like in pre-colonial Africa and the relations between different groups. The protagonist is generally a blank slate, innocent and naive which allows the reader to uncover things before the protagonist does, a feature I enjoy. It does seem to end pretty abruptly but that does seem to follow the “it’s all over now that the Europeans are here” theme.

pionofre's review against another edition

challenging inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

cowardlyteaman's review against another edition

Eg skulle lesa denne til norsken, men som ein som likar å lesa, så er dette den treigaste og trassaste boka eg har prøvd å starta. Utruleg kjedeleg og utan framgang, dessverre.

fluctuating_planes's review

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

anushareflects's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

Gurnah’s “Paradise” is a complicated piece of writing following 12 year old Yusuf who is sold by his parents for the repayment of their debt to “Uncle” Aziz. The story then follows his journeys emotional, metaphorical and geographical across the African continent with traders of various kinds as he grows older. A commentary on the social and power dynamics of Africa with special  emphasis on its poor. Gives a view into the lives of those rarely discussed - the bitter, dirty, difficult parts included. But somehow I found the writing a tad cluttered so it didn’t leave me with the impact I wished it did. But regardless of this story, Gurnah is a phenomenal writer. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Colonisation, and Classism

kennatroy's review against another edition

4.0

This book is great, but if you want a clear ending you’ll be disappointed.

rindala's review against another edition

challenging mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

J'ai aimé l'idée d'une femme enfermée et mystérieuse.
Je n'ai pas accroché avec l'intrigue outre mesure.