Reviews

A Down Home Meal for These Difficult Times: Stories by Meron Hadero

thebooksatchel's review against another edition

Short stories about Ethiopian immigrants in the US that examine identity and belonging.
These stories explore people trying to find a 'home' and have a safe space for themselves. The Suitcase is about a woman who has lived between two cultures, visiting Addis Ababa for the first time.
Mekonnen aka Mack aka Huey Freakin Newton shows the importance Americans place on the color of one's skin and how the diaspora struggle to fit in. I enjoyed the titular story A down home meal for these difficult times the most. Here, food becomes a love language and through food immigrants try to settle in their home.

celeste072's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

mohawkm's review against another edition

5.0

I really enjoyed these short stories, and they covered a lot of territory I don't often find in short stories. While I can do without the small amount of magical realism here, most are extremely well written without falling on depressing tropes.

jkwriting24's review against another edition

challenging reflective

3.75

meg0207's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

rebekahdevlin's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-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

4.0

andrewreads's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

dee_dee_reads's review against another edition

3.5

This collection doesn't shy away from the harsh realities that immigrants face when navigating their new homes. The unbridled racism, unwarranted fear and overall harsh treatment. My personal favourites in the collection: Medallion, Mekonnen, Kind Stranger and A Down Home Meal. However, Sinkholes will be the story that sticks with me the most out of all of them. 

These stories are not easy to stomach, but that doesn't make them any less beautiful.

orlily's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

internationalreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative reflective fast-paced

4.0