uzoma's review against another edition
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Chigozie knows how to write a Tragedy. The children of the Fathers also say thank you sir for the introduction to Igbo cosmology.
beccakatie's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Writing this book with traditional Igbo traditions and in the voice of Nonso’s chi offered an interesting perspective, allowing us to understand Nonso, his thoughts and feelings, but being encouraged to criticise him for his mistakes. Despite this, his chi seems to often try to make excuses for him, with the book labelling this as an issue of fate versus free will. While I think examining where he and Ndali were doomed from the very beginning, despite, or because of, all of the trials they went through, I think this question removes a lot of personal responsibility. By the end of the book Nonso has become an character, who constantly seems to regress to unreasonable behaviour. While what he goes through is certainly tragic and would certainly effect someone, throughout the book he seems to lurch from bad decision to bad decision.
The book is also hindered by not allowing any of the other characters any growth or progression. Ndali is such a central figure of the book, and yet we never really know her. The reader can objectively understand her actions and motivations much of the time, but is little chance to deeply understand her or the connection she feels towards Nonso.
This book is a true story of tragedy and is such an interesting premise, weaving Igbo tradition with concepts of fate and destiny, but is restricted by the failure to build a range of characters to connect with.
The book is also hindered by not allowing any of the other characters any growth or progression. Ndali is such a central figure of the book, and yet we never really know her. The reader can objectively understand her actions and motivations much of the time, but is little chance to deeply understand her or the connection she feels towards Nonso.
This book is a true story of tragedy and is such an interesting premise, weaving Igbo tradition with concepts of fate and destiny, but is restricted by the failure to build a range of characters to connect with.
jeanclaire's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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? Yes
4.5
guineapiggirl's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the narrative structure of the novel, but the ending was chilling.
tevreads's review against another edition
5.0
This was a book I had no idea what to expect as I began, but I was quickly absorbed by its mysticism and unique writing style as part of the Igbo, Indigenous African tradition, from the first few chapters and sustained throughout.
Obioma left me engrossed by a unique and memorable protagonist who finds himself a poor poultry farmer chasing the illustrious woman never quite within his reach. Narrated through his chi, essentially his spirit that watches over him, an epic tale unfolds of the power of one's desire and will when feelings of love are concerned.
Critically, An Orchestra of Minorities divulges into a dark and dramatic tale, its protagonist at ills with challenge after challenge until he finally succumbs to the futility of his quest. As references to Odysseus become a last glimmer of hope, Chinonso is broken, stripped down and exposed as animalistic, a shell of his previous self. The ultimate act that concludes his story is that of a man whose being has truly died.
An Orchestra of Minorities is bleak, dark, and shocking throughout, but at the same time, it is addictive, grand, and memorable. If one can accept the former, the latter makes it a must read for 2019.
Obioma left me engrossed by a unique and memorable protagonist who finds himself a poor poultry farmer chasing the illustrious woman never quite within his reach. Narrated through his chi, essentially his spirit that watches over him, an epic tale unfolds of the power of one's desire and will when feelings of love are concerned.
Critically, An Orchestra of Minorities divulges into a dark and dramatic tale, its protagonist at ills with challenge after challenge until he finally succumbs to the futility of his quest. As references to Odysseus become a last glimmer of hope, Chinonso is broken, stripped down and exposed as animalistic, a shell of his previous self. The ultimate act that concludes his story is that of a man whose being has truly died.
An Orchestra of Minorities is bleak, dark, and shocking throughout, but at the same time, it is addictive, grand, and memorable. If one can accept the former, the latter makes it a must read for 2019.
hevs's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Co ja właśnie przeczytałam...
Literacko rzecz nawiązuje do tradycji oralnych, więc tutaj każdy musi sam ocenić swoją wrażliwość na taki sposób opowiadania. To nie mój klimat, ale nie mogę w tej warstwie nic "Orkiestrze..." zarzucić. Poza tym jednak mamy do czynienia z historią znęcającego się nad zwierzętami stalkera pisaną z perspektywy jego usprawiedliwiającej każdy wybryk mamusi (no, konkretnie to jego chi, ducha opiekuńczego). Chinonso jest dość żałosnym osobnikiem, który w wyniku swojej własnej naiwności i niezaradności popada w coraz większe kłopoty. Mamy tu do czynienia z nieomal grecką tragedią, gdzie okrutne okoliczności sprzysięgają się przeciw miłości bohatera, co samo w sobie nie jest złym pomysłem na powieść, tylko... wszystko to ten chłop sprowadza na siebie poprzez nieprzemyślane decyzje, bierność i niemal nadprzyrodzoną zdolność obdarzania zaufania każdego napotkanego człowieka jak podejrzany by się nie wydawał. Chinonso nic nie robi sam, on tylko znajduje kolejną osobę, która ma się nim zaopiekować i mu pomóc. W efekcie jest okradany, wrabiany, porzucany i oszukiwany. Zrozumiałe, że budzi to w nim złość. Gorzej że ta złość zostaje wyładowania na meblach, zwierzętach i byłej dziewczynie, ale już jedynej osobie, która naprawdę zrobiła mu krzywdę wybacza, no bo - domyślam się - nikt by się wtedy nim nie zajmował.
Naprawdę nie wiem co autor miał na myśli, ale bohater jest tu bardzo usilnie kreowany na ofiarę, do stopnia w którym skala nieszczęść w zakończeniu ociera się o śmieszność. A tymczasem jest to żałosny typ, który mści się na postronnych za niepowodzenia, które sam na siebie sprowadził.
Literacko rzecz nawiązuje do tradycji oralnych, więc tutaj każdy musi sam ocenić swoją wrażliwość na taki sposób opowiadania. To nie mój klimat, ale nie mogę w tej warstwie nic "Orkiestrze..." zarzucić. Poza tym jednak mamy do czynienia z historią znęcającego się nad zwierzętami stalkera pisaną z perspektywy jego usprawiedliwiającej każdy wybryk mamusi (no, konkretnie to jego chi, ducha opiekuńczego). Chinonso jest dość żałosnym osobnikiem, który w wyniku swojej własnej naiwności i niezaradności popada w coraz większe kłopoty. Mamy tu do czynienia z nieomal grecką tragedią, gdzie okrutne okoliczności sprzysięgają się przeciw miłości bohatera, co samo w sobie nie jest złym pomysłem na powieść, tylko... wszystko to ten chłop sprowadza na siebie poprzez nieprzemyślane decyzje, bierność i niemal nadprzyrodzoną zdolność obdarzania zaufania każdego napotkanego człowieka jak podejrzany by się nie wydawał. Chinonso nic nie robi sam, on tylko znajduje kolejną osobę, która ma się nim zaopiekować i mu pomóc. W efekcie jest okradany, wrabiany, porzucany i oszukiwany. Zrozumiałe, że budzi to w nim złość. Gorzej że ta złość zostaje wyładowania na meblach, zwierzętach
Spoiler
TYP KRZYŻUJE JASTRZĘBIANaprawdę nie wiem co autor miał na myśli, ale bohater jest tu bardzo usilnie kreowany na ofiarę, do stopnia w którym skala nieszczęść w zakończeniu ociera się o śmieszność. A tymczasem jest to żałosny typ, który mści się na postronnych za niepowodzenia, które sam na siebie sprowadził.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Animal death, and Stalking
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
getinkshedtears's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. As an exploration of Igbo cosmology, it gets 5 stars: I learned more new terms and concepts from it than anything I've read for a long time. As a narrative, I hated it and had to basically flog myself into finishing. I enjoyed The Fishermen and was hoping for more out of this one. Obioma would be well-served by a new editor.
jamrock's review against another edition
5.0
Convinced my chi once inhabited a host from the time of The Great Fathers
"They were the minorities of this world whose only recourse was to join this universal orchestra in which all there was to do was cry and wail."
An Orchestra of Minorities 🖤
The only reason I could justify reading a book of this size during term time is a) it’s a twist on Greek classic The Odyssey and b) it kept me sane during the last month of term which has been quite draining.
Having read this and a few others in the same genre I legit want to study Igbo culture and language full time! I am convinced that my chi previously inhabited a host from the time of The Great Fathers and guides me to the people and books that have educated me this last year.
"They were the minorities of this world whose only recourse was to join this universal orchestra in which all there was to do was cry and wail."
An Orchestra of Minorities 🖤
The only reason I could justify reading a book of this size during term time is a) it’s a twist on Greek classic The Odyssey and b) it kept me sane during the last month of term which has been quite draining.
Having read this and a few others in the same genre I legit want to study Igbo culture and language full time! I am convinced that my chi previously inhabited a host from the time of The Great Fathers and guides me to the people and books that have educated me this last year.
bookedatheart_'s review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
zara89's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Blood, Confinement, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, and Violence