Scan barcode
seeceeread's review against another edition
We only hit back. You are struck on the left cheek. You turn the right cheek. One, two, three – sixty years. Then suddenly, it is always sudden, you say: I am not turning the other cheek anymore. Your back to the wall, you strike back.
A village's men trickle away into the forest, committed Mau Mau fighters. After being captured and sent to detention camps, they slip back. Corralled by colonialist government, the community thrives on stories of unbroken oaths, defiant silence, and courageous acts for others. Few fully embody the towering collective values, and the tension between their aspirations and actual choices are difficult to resolve. They pedestal a martyr and a stuttering returned fighter who they assume are blameless. When that faith is threatened, they excise the wound and begin imagining anew.
Ngũgĩ's themes captivate more than the novel's basics, including character, setting, and plot. The tale jumps around in narrative style, timeline, perspective, and focus ... without solid transitions or cues. Without Gurnah's introduction, I would have been even more lost 🫠
At the same time, he carefully dramatizes the day-to-day of revolution by complicating heroes, elevating women, and acknowledging class clashes. The Mau Mau and British colonialists are peripheral as he explores lives shifted by their efforts.
genhol's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love this book, it explores a huge range of contentious issues framed by Kenyan independence and the anti-colonial movement. A true modern classic that everyone should read!
battramsysni's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.5
jayalex_8's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Colonisation
marcymurli's review against another edition
5.0
Ngugi is one of my favorite authors. This novel is a stunning portrayal of British colonialism in Kenya in the lead up to Independence. What is most powerful is the narration that focuses on several characters through flashbacks about their relation to the British and to the Mau Mau resistance fighters. I especially love the way Ngugi portrays how many of these characters internalize colonialism and shows the damaging consequences of this not only on a personal level, but also on a communal one. The novel is absolutely extraordinary.
hbermudes's review against another edition
3.0
This book offers a complex view of most characters (I would say less so with the women in the story) and of this history of resilience, revolution, and self definition. Interesting and wonderful storytelling, especially with the non-linear narrative, religious metaphor and referencing, and emotional exploration of the characters.... although to be honest the timeline and perspective did confuse me a lot. The story is not thrilling or sensational by any means, but there is urgent force still.
kjarmschool's review against another edition
5.0
Great historical fiction that has both an engaging cast of characters with plenty to ponder about their motivations and psychology, set during the Kenyan struggle for independence, about which the book is not didactic but paints a very clear picture of the terrors of colonialism and its effects on people. I think it took longer than I would like to pair up names/characters, partially because of the style with flashbacks. Would like to reread now that I know the main story arc and/or wish I made a little map of relationships from the beginning.
mittland's review against another edition
4.0
took a while for me to finish this but I was stuck on a long journey and then I took the time to get into it and read it in pretty much one sweep, which was needed (for me) to manage to remember which characters were which etc. very much enjoyed this and the twists and turns the narrative took, with the character Mugo and his secret constantly keeping the atmosphere tense. where other books of the times, particularly political ones I've read, sometimes seem to sideline women's voices this instead centered them, where their struggles and opinions are just as (and sometimes more) well-depicted as the men's. and you know what, ultimately this was just a very, very romantic book. I can't remember the last time I cared about a couple this much
megannewsome's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0