kelseywaters's review against another edition
5.0
This is probably my favorite fiction read of the summer. So well written—you don’t notice it’s a YA book at all. It goes back and forth through time tell the story of Liberians in both the US and Monrovia, and the conflicts between Africans and African Americans—the traumas show up over hundreds of years with the same patterns, just in different ways. I didn’t know any of this history before—this book makes me want to read and learn more about it. Each part and time period of the book was equally interesting to me. I love that this POV has been written so well and look forward to seeking out more of it. Shout out to Shannon Gibney—a Minnesota writer!
marymanor's review against another edition
4.0
Shannon Gibney’s second novel is flat out amazing. It is raw and revealing and captivated me on every level.
afro8921's review against another edition
3.0
Dream Country follows the disjointed immigration patterns experienced in one African family tree. Kollie Flomo is a young African teen struggling to connect his American and African identity. His apathetic performance in school and the bullying he experiences from his African American classmates exposes an explosive anger he can barely control. After a school skirmish leads to a public shaming of the family, Kollie’s father sends him back to Liberia in an effort to reform him. Kollie’s ancestor Togar’s experience with immigration are completely involuntary. Slavers have partnered with other Africans in a bid to supply plantations with free labor. His attempts to evade the slavers infecting his country result in a net loss of identity and family. Togar’s great granddaughter Yasmine is a free African American woman in slavery riddled America. She decides to take a gamble on a repatriation scheme orchestrated by white men that promises a better life for her children.
sc104906's review against another edition
2.0
I received this as an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This novel explores the lives of African child soldiers. Young characters find themselves forced into violence and are unable to get out. Characters are trying to find a way to get to a better place when everything is working against them.
This novel was a struggle for me to get through.
This novel explores the lives of African child soldiers. Young characters find themselves forced into violence and are unable to get out. Characters are trying to find a way to get to a better place when everything is working against them.
This novel was a struggle for me to get through.
ericadeb's review against another edition
2.0
I’m sorry, but the language in this book is just too much. I am 100% against censorship and hate banned books and am an advocate for reading what you like, but does this story need to be told in such a crude way for this audience? I don’t think so. The language used in this book is heavier and more upsetting that most adult books. I don’t see the benefit of this style for teen readers. If anything, it made me want to give up on an otherwise important story.
tracyfeye's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
tomato_bisque's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I liked the book for exploring history few Americans know about. While its about the history of Liberia, its also about how people unwillingly create the systems they themselves suffered under and how it can leave someone a shell of a person.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Racism, Slavery, and Child death
lauraviivi's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. This is an excellent book which weaves a story of Liberian American family history through generations. Parts of it are set in Minnesota, so those definitely hit hard. Parts of it are set in Liberia, which opened my eyes to the lack of background knowledge I have regarding the colonization of Liberia by Freedmen and former slaves from the US. There is so much detail, depth, and nuance here. It would make an excellent book club book.
lilareadssometimes's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
kgraham10's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting multi-generational story about the interconnected history of Liberia and the US.