anetq's review against another edition
4.0
In the villages of Equadorial Guinea life is traditional, but in the forest some people are living their real life with the people they love... At least until they get found out. But in the end (almost like Sherwood) they can flee into nature, be vegetarian and LGBT if they prefer.
br00k3a133n's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
iammandyellen's review against another edition
The first Equatorial Guinean novel I’ve ever read. So grateful to the Feminist Press of CUNY.
kaya's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
verb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
stacialithub's review
4.0
This is the first book from a female in Equatorial Guinea to be translated into English. The story is told by 16-year-old Okomo about life in her small village as part of the Fang people (part of the Bantu ethnic group), the rigid gender & sexuality roles, & Okomo's struggles both being being a part of the structure while also pushing to break free. It comes across simplistically, episodically, similar to some YA books, which fits as it reflects the perspective of the young narrator. Asymptote has a good review of it by Parker Brookie. Electric Lit also has a short interview with the author: How Do You Advocate for LGBTQ Rights When Your Culture Has No Word for Gay? I'd probably give the story itself 3 stars but will give it 4 for challenging the status quo & gender norms. A good read for Women in Translation Month as well as one for those seeking LGBTQIA2S+ books.
Also, random fact when I was looking up things about the author, Equatorial Guinea, etc. -- while the book itself used the term Equatorial Guinean (which is what I would use too) for someone from there, a common version I found online is Equatoguinean. Which just seems like a lovely & pleasing word to me.
Also, random fact when I was looking up things about the author, Equatorial Guinea, etc. -- while the book itself used the term Equatorial Guinean (which is what I would use too) for someone from there, a common version I found online is Equatoguinean. Which just seems like a lovely & pleasing word to me.
raulbime's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This novella is the first book by an Equatorial Guinean woman to be translated into English. It's a very important book, one that tells the story of Okomo, a girl living with her grandparents since the death of her mother and who searches for her father, having been branded "la bastarda" for being born out of wedlock, and finding a place for herself as a lesbian in a society that reacts to her identity by either cloaking it with invisibility and ignoring its existence or trying to change it through violence.
The plots to books as short as this one can't really be discussed without giving too much away. However this was a fantastic read exploring gender norms, sexism, homophobia and community.
This novella is the first book by an Equatorial Guinean woman to be translated into English. It's a very important book, one that tells the story of Okomo, a girl living with her grandparents since the death of her mother and who searches for her father, having been branded "la bastarda" for being born out of wedlock, and finding a place for herself as a lesbian in a society that reacts to her identity by either cloaking it with invisibility and ignoring its existence or trying to change it through violence.
The plots to books as short as this one can't really be discussed without giving too much away. However this was a fantastic read exploring gender norms, sexism, homophobia and community.
wtb_michael's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
4.5
A short, powerful book from Equatorial Guinea, dealing with sexuality and family
amyjo25's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25