usikholor's review
5.0
In my eyes, Tolani and her mother are very similar people with very different experiences but also similar in the things that life throws at them.
In Swallow, as Sefi Atta always does, she represents the Nigerian society in the way that it truly is. Very real and pure.
In Swallow, as Sefi Atta always does, she represents the Nigerian society in the way that it truly is. Very real and pure.
bukolayemi's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Swallow is a novel about corruption, friendship, love, morality, identity, drug trafficking among other themes.
Set in 1980s Lagos during the Nigerian government’s War Against Indiscipline and austerity measures, it softly deals with the heavy themes with engaging and beautiful writing.
Sefi Atta writes Lagos well, she documents places, political events and pop culture in such a lovely way.
I don’t remember reading any other novel that is not broken down into chapters. Well the last 50 pages are in part two but majority of this story is one long continuous part one.
If like me, you wait until the end of a chapter to put down a book, be ready to drop this one midway and pick it again in the morning, there are no chapters. Saying that, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and soon got used to the lack of chapters.
jesujuwonlo's review
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I enjoyed reading this. I loved how simple it was to read and how much it talked about relatable issues.
blessing_aj's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
3.75
lipglossmaffia's review
4.0
If you haven't read any Atta, you should. Also, don't forget to read Everything Good Will Come.
tracy2_0's review
5.0
Sharp, concise and in Sefi Atta's deft hands the simplicity of the story is full and rich, namely what will one do for survival that another will not for that same survival.
flowahh_'s review
3.0
A vivid tale of Lagosian life.
Set in the 1980s in Lagos, when the government’s “War Against Indiscipline” was in full swing. Sefi Atta tells the story of Tolani, a bank secretary, and her roommate Rose and how they navigate life in Lagos.I was immediately taken by the author’s vivid description of Lagos as it felt like I was constantly walking beside Tolani as she experienced life and the city. While doing an incredible job at evoking the sounds and smells of Lagos, Sefi Atta highlights the issues faced by the African women - the pressures of getting married, vulnerability to sexual harassment, and the terrible nature of poverty. But that’s not all, it also does a great job of showing the racial, class, and religious tensions found in Lagos. I think I should mention that at times the novel felt choppy, but it was something that I was able to easily overlook. It can be considered an easy read, and is definitely worth the read.
Set in the 1980s in Lagos, when the government’s “War Against Indiscipline” was in full swing. Sefi Atta tells the story of Tolani, a bank secretary, and her roommate Rose and how they navigate life in Lagos.I was immediately taken by the author’s vivid description of Lagos as it felt like I was constantly walking beside Tolani as she experienced life and the city. While doing an incredible job at evoking the sounds and smells of Lagos, Sefi Atta highlights the issues faced by the African women - the pressures of getting married, vulnerability to sexual harassment, and the terrible nature of poverty. But that’s not all, it also does a great job of showing the racial, class, and religious tensions found in Lagos. I think I should mention that at times the novel felt choppy, but it was something that I was able to easily overlook. It can be considered an easy read, and is definitely worth the read.
xallroyx21's review
3.0
I picked this up because I am always interested in female authors from different countries. This book was told in a different sty;es. MOst of the story is from Tolani's POV in the present about her life in Lagos, NIgeria. Other parts of the story are told from her mother's POV about the past. I liked how it shows the storyteller role in their culture.
Swallow does refer to drugs, but that is not the main focus on the story. I think it was to show the depths that a person can go if subjected to what seems to be so much injustice and inequality. Women still have a long way to go in many parts of the world. I would recommend this to those who are interested in the genre.
Swallow does refer to drugs, but that is not the main focus on the story. I think it was to show the depths that a person can go if subjected to what seems to be so much injustice and inequality. Women still have a long way to go in many parts of the world. I would recommend this to those who are interested in the genre.
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