Scan barcode
sepulveda_reads's review
2.0
Felt very disconnected from the writing. Almost overwhelming so. I enjoyed the story a lot and what it gave me of the background of Ghana and its politics was by far the best part. The rest was mostly filler for the anticipation I had for the big moment in the prologue, only to be severely disappointed. The second half was way more interesting to me that the first but that ending was not satisfying at all. Still, it was a fun time.
itisclara's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I didn’t know much about Ghana before reading this book and it has taught me a lot about Ghanaian history, culture, food, geography and way of life. The book begins with the end of the story: an interrogation of the main character that got me hooked from the start. I was really interested in getting to know the main character and what choices she would make along her journey to end up in that interrogation room. This book is rather short and can very well be read during a single day. All in all a great story about young people getting involved in politics, the abuse of power, being in university, life in Ghana, friendship, falling in love and much more.
ljrinaldi's review
3.0
What can I say about this book? It is not suspenseful, in that the opening of the book begins with Charlette's capture. The rest of the book is the story behind the military capturing her and why. There has been a fourth coup d'eta, and Ghana has a new leader, and Charlette is at University.
So, if you want to read about a young woman and how she fairs in this time, well, I wish there were other fictional books told about Ghana, but this is the first one I have read. And you do learn about how life in Ghana was/is.
But, as a story goes, there is not a heck of a lot there. There are good guys, there are bad guys. There is love. But, and here I shrug my shoulders, there isn't much there there, as Gertrude Stein said about Oakland.
To start with her capture, and then work back, takes out all the tension.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
So, if you want to read about a young woman and how she fairs in this time, well, I wish there were other fictional books told about Ghana, but this is the first one I have read. And you do learn about how life in Ghana was/is.
But, as a story goes, there is not a heck of a lot there. There are good guys, there are bad guys. There is love. But, and here I shrug my shoulders, there isn't much there there, as Gertrude Stein said about Oakland.
To start with her capture, and then work back, takes out all the tension.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
bookish_abena's review
Summary: Charlotte Adom just gained admission to the University of Science and Technology (currently The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology) and life at the university is better than she dreamed of. She meets Mary-her sophisticated roommate. Mary introduces her to nightlife in Kumasi – parties, clubs and boyfriends. Charlotte actively joins student politics in school and finds herself in trouble – during the 1981 Coup d’etat period in Ghana.
Review: Aluta was a very easy, relatable and insightful read for me. Though I did not grow up during the time of the coup d’etat in the country, I grew up listening to stories from my parents. This book was an eye-opener in the sense that it transported me to the era of coup d’etat and how people lived through it.
I like that the book delved into student activism in Ghana’s politics. Large protest marches called Alutas organized by various Student Representative Councils (SRCs) bought about the change that Ghanaians desired – Democracy. I love a good history lesson in a storytelling form – this book nailed it right on the head.
The book explored prominent issues around education, governance, women leadership roles, student’s activism in Ghana’s politics, rape, parenting, love and friendship among others. Adwoa Badoe was real, honest and simple. The story took some time to fully capture my attention but after a few chapters, I was stuck on the pages like crazy.
I did not like how the story ended. (I will try not to give you spoilers). It could have been better – maybe a bit of love and good news in the end
Adwoa Badoe spiced up the story with Ghanaian words like Adinkrahene, Awo)shia, D)-me-a-bra, Kalabule etc. The book felt like home.
Note: Please don’t read this book if you are hungry – It felt like a cooking class on Ghanaian dishes.
Review: Aluta was a very easy, relatable and insightful read for me. Though I did not grow up during the time of the coup d’etat in the country, I grew up listening to stories from my parents. This book was an eye-opener in the sense that it transported me to the era of coup d’etat and how people lived through it.
I like that the book delved into student activism in Ghana’s politics. Large protest marches called Alutas organized by various Student Representative Councils (SRCs) bought about the change that Ghanaians desired – Democracy. I love a good history lesson in a storytelling form – this book nailed it right on the head.
The book explored prominent issues around education, governance, women leadership roles, student’s activism in Ghana’s politics, rape, parenting, love and friendship among others. Adwoa Badoe was real, honest and simple. The story took some time to fully capture my attention but after a few chapters, I was stuck on the pages like crazy.
I did not like how the story ended. (I will try not to give you spoilers). It could have been better – maybe a bit of love and good news in the end
Adwoa Badoe spiced up the story with Ghanaian words like Adinkrahene, Awo)shia, D)-me-a-bra, Kalabule etc. The book felt like home.
Note: Please don’t read this book if you are hungry – It felt like a cooking class on Ghanaian dishes.
booksonadventures's review
informative
tense
slow-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
4.25
Aluta, a term referring to a large protest march, captures the social and political climate of Ghana during a series of military coups.
As a young college student, Charlotte is swept up in flashy parties, young love, and new ideas. When Ghana enters a period of political turmoil, her casual interest in politics quickly becomes dangerous.
This is the third book I read for February in Ghana, and it added the perfect dose of political and historical context that I was missing in my other selections. Aluta follows Charlotte through numerous political debates and discussions that illustrate conversations around the 1981 coup and following reforms. The prose and plot are relatively simple, but I enjoyed the no-frills approach to core issues.
Final thoughts: 👍🏻 Highly recommended
As a young college student, Charlotte is swept up in flashy parties, young love, and new ideas. When Ghana enters a period of political turmoil, her casual interest in politics quickly becomes dangerous.
This is the third book I read for February in Ghana, and it added the perfect dose of political and historical context that I was missing in my other selections. Aluta follows Charlotte through numerous political debates and discussions that illustrate conversations around the 1981 coup and following reforms. The prose and plot are relatively simple, but I enjoyed the no-frills approach to core issues.
Final thoughts: 👍🏻 Highly recommended
meganbelisle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Vomit
katiegrrrl's review
3.0
I know nothing about Ghana or it's political history. This was very interesting from that perspective.
2017 Popsugar Challenge - main character that is a different ethnicity than you
2017 Popsugar Challenge - main character that is a different ethnicity than you
rachbly's review
3.0
The majority of this book is really solid but the ending, or lack there of, is pretty disappointing.
t_rex_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
medium-paced
More...