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lanid's review against another edition
dark
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, and Murder
cassiope_fastigiata's review against another edition
4.0
This book was on my shelf for a long time, one of those 'should reads' that I wasn't very inspired to pick up. Finally, I had nothing else at home to read, and I picked it up. It still felt like a 'should read' in the beginning, and I found the novel slow going, only reading a few pages a night. I couldn't relate to the characters, who seemed to just be wandering around in the story which didn't seem to be going anywhere. Then, at the very end of part one, when the community of Ilmorog decides to journey to the city to seek help for their suffering due to the drought, I was suddenly pulled into the story. As it became for me less the story of individual characters and more the story of the village/town, with the characters becoming different elements of the town, of so many small towns in so many countries, I adapted to the rhythm and begin really enjoying the read. I've never been to Kenya, but I imagined as I read so many other small towns I have been to, and thought of all the unknown and often tragic stories that must be behind each shabby concrete building or shack, the faces of the fruit sellers, the merchants, and the fat, sleek business folk, the shocks and transitions of 'development.' I still prefer by far the funnier 'Wizard of the Crow', but this is a touching book.
queenbothered's review against another edition
It was so boring it became a chore to read. The plot isn't interesting or captivating in any form
saumigraph's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
rafdee13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
mrmysteryfox's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book a bit of a hard read; meandering through flashbacks which often felt a bit convoluted. Overall painted a strong picture of the effects of colonisation and also post-independence of Kenya from a peasants viewpoint. Would recommend his other book I have read, Wizard and Crow, over this.
ejmorris1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
catriona90's review against another edition
3.0
I struggled to get into or really follow this one although I can recognise it’s a great work of literature. I usually enjoy reading of different countries and cultures but found this hard work. That’s not to say it’s not good - just that ‘it wasn’t written for me’ as one reviewer really aptly wrote. A good challenge.