carstensena's review against another edition
3.0
Here's my review: http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/adult4teen/2011/06/28/tiny-sunbirds-far-away/
jfbfsf's review against another edition
4.0
Warm, at times both funny and tragic, thoughtful insight into another culture, both its troubles and its strengths. A young girl's journey, both physical and emotional, as she grows up, understands troubling realities, and forges bonds with new family and a new land. I really enjoyed it.
jackirenee's review against another edition
5.0
Blessing's comfortable world comes crashing down with the sound of her mother's scream. When her mother catches her father with another woman, Blessing and her older brother move with their mother from their affluent neighborhood to her mother's childhood village in the Niger Delta. Suddently there is no running water or electricity and her mother is gone all day to work in a nearby bar. Gunboys float down the river, as well as trash and oil; the river that she is expected to bathe in.
Yet Blessing finds comfort, love, and a future with her grandmother as she begins her training in becoming a midwife. Just as she begins to embrace her new life, her mother brings home a white boyfriend, her brother joins a gang of boy soldiers and danger creeps inside the compounds walls.
I began this book on a Friday afternoon and finished it within 24 hours. Once I began reading, I fell in love with Blessing and couldn't leave her story behind. As she realized that she had never before thought of the faucets in her old apartment, as she felt the touch of the flashlight of the corrupt police shining over her new breasts, as she lifted a baby onto a mother's breast, you wanted so much for her life to be everything she wished. She, and her entire family, were frustrating, impossible, loveable, broken, astounding, and real.
This story will hopefully open your eyes to a new world, a world that is not about the latest television show or iphone app. A world that is not about watching your children play in the park or shopping in an air conditioned mall. Yet it is a world that is loved, is full of life, and is wonderful because of its ability to create an amazing girl like Blessing.
Yet Blessing finds comfort, love, and a future with her grandmother as she begins her training in becoming a midwife. Just as she begins to embrace her new life, her mother brings home a white boyfriend, her brother joins a gang of boy soldiers and danger creeps inside the compounds walls.
I began this book on a Friday afternoon and finished it within 24 hours. Once I began reading, I fell in love with Blessing and couldn't leave her story behind. As she realized that she had never before thought of the faucets in her old apartment, as she felt the touch of the flashlight of the corrupt police shining over her new breasts, as she lifted a baby onto a mother's breast, you wanted so much for her life to be everything she wished. She, and her entire family, were frustrating, impossible, loveable, broken, astounding, and real.
This story will hopefully open your eyes to a new world, a world that is not about the latest television show or iphone app. A world that is not about watching your children play in the park or shopping in an air conditioned mall. Yet it is a world that is loved, is full of life, and is wonderful because of its ability to create an amazing girl like Blessing.
adelamercedes's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite book of 2012. I read it in record time because I could not bare to put it down. A tragic story written through 12 year old Blessing's eyes. It brings to light female mutilation and oil companies in the Niger Delta. Grandma offers Nigerian quotes to stimulate your mind. I felt like I was right there when it all happened and I was sad when the story ended.
kjw2's review against another edition
5.0
Wisdom, insights, love and pain. This was an amazing story.
lindacbugg's review against another edition
5.0
Highly recommended!
Won the Costa 2011 debut novelist award.
Won the Costa 2011 debut novelist award.
melc's review against another edition
5.0
Deeply moving, provocative and beautifully crafted novel.
Watson's storytelling is clever and breathtaking. The pace that the plot unfurls is sensitive and masterful. I was completely gripped as Blessing, the main protagonist faced realisations about her life and family - a pivotal, highly emotive, beautiful point in the book.
Her characterisation is superb, I really connected with all the characters and was deeply moved by their stories.
Watson highlights the issues of Nigeria boldly and impressively yet weaves them masterfully into the lives of her characters leading the reader to care deeply about the people and the country.
A great read - I loved it.
Watson's storytelling is clever and breathtaking. The pace that the plot unfurls is sensitive and masterful. I was completely gripped as Blessing, the main protagonist faced realisations about her life and family - a pivotal, highly emotive, beautiful point in the book.
Her characterisation is superb, I really connected with all the characters and was deeply moved by their stories.
Watson highlights the issues of Nigeria boldly and impressively yet weaves them masterfully into the lives of her characters leading the reader to care deeply about the people and the country.
A great read - I loved it.
michellepenson's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this coming of age story of a young girl living in Nigeria. Having to leave the wealth of the big city behind, she moves with her mother and brother to live in a village with her grandparents. Female cutting, boy soldiers with guns, an oil company and government that have all the wealth and power figure prominently in this novel.
lamusadelils's review against another edition
5.0
No solo es interesante y esta muy bien escrito, además tiene personajes entrañables.
Muchas veces los narradores niños-jovenes son un riesgo, pero aquí funcionó perfectamente.
Muchas veces los narradores niños-jovenes son un riesgo, pero aquí funcionó perfectamente.
patty_kansascity's review against another edition
3.0
“Sometimes, things fall apart,” said Grandma, “so we can put them together in a new way.”
Easily a 3.5 rated book for me. Sort of the opposite of a Cinderella rags-to-riches tale. Blessing, Ezekiel and their mother have to leave the 21st century conveniences of the big city in Nigeria to the remote (and dangerous) village of her mother’s family where poverty is severe and things once taken for granted (electricity, clean water, etc) are nearly non-existent. This book follows the family as it spirals down and then rises again from the ashes. The author’s note at the end of the book reminds the readers of harsh realities that the story goes into are real issues for Nigerians today. Good book.
Easily a 3.5 rated book for me. Sort of the opposite of a Cinderella rags-to-riches tale. Blessing, Ezekiel and their mother have to leave the 21st century conveniences of the big city in Nigeria to the remote (and dangerous) village of her mother’s family where poverty is severe and things once taken for granted (electricity, clean water, etc) are nearly non-existent. This book follows the family as it spirals down and then rises again from the ashes. The author’s note at the end of the book reminds the readers of harsh realities that the story goes into are real issues for Nigerians today. Good book.