aridoubra's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
I wolfed this one down. It reads like a poem. As an avid fan of mythology, this was a cross over I didn't know I needed. The mesh of Nigerian and Greek gods was exquisite. My favorite character, Modupe, what a woman- beautiful, strong, and committed to justice to the end. Just a beautiful work of art. 🤌🏾🤌🏾
jentidders's review against another edition
3.0
The Half God of Rainfall is a story-poem about Demi, a half Nigerian mortal, half Grecian God: "When he is angry, clouds darken. When he cries, rivers burst their banks. And when he touches a basketball, deities want courtside seats."
There were a few parts where I wasn't sure I had got the full meaning and there definitely needs to be a trigger warning for sexual assault, but otherwise, I enjoyed this lyrical exploration of pride, power and female revenge, with the women in Demi's life rising up against the patriarchy.
There were a few parts where I wasn't sure I had got the full meaning and there definitely needs to be a trigger warning for sexual assault, but otherwise, I enjoyed this lyrical exploration of pride, power and female revenge, with the women in Demi's life rising up against the patriarchy.
cutlet's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
theroamingleo's review against another edition
3.75
Crazy book. Didn’t except that with the main guy. Enjoyed listening to Inua Ellams narrate. Too much (g)rape talk for me, even if there is a lot of that within the Greek pantheon. Interesting take on the gods.
05hamiltonk's review against another edition
4.0
Soo poetic and beautifully written. I expected this to be a novel but it’s really a short story written in verse, when it was first delivered I was disappointed but after reading it I loved it as it was. A powerful story, a fuck you to male dominance, violence and abuse of power. I can imagine it as a play, definitely one to be read aloud. FYI you can read it in one sitting.
kiramke's review against another edition
3.0
Original, inventive, not a retelling or interpretation but a direct response. I like this, I like the nod to classic format as a play in verse, I like the intertwining of Yoruba mythology, and I appreciate the thought behind it all. My reservations may be more about how it was marketed to me, or just where my thoughts have been recently regarding mythologies. And they are: for a story about vengeance from and solidarity for female victims, most of this story centers around men. The heroine acts not in defense of herself but her child. The women, the victims, are ultimately mostly unnamed. I'm inclined to think the focus is just on how we-general-society react to the ongoing abuse of women, and that's why, and maybe I just really needed more about specifically Zeus' victims taking him down. Listen, it's been a long quarantine, I listened to a lot of Greek mythology and it revived my grudge with Zeus. 3.5, and maybe I'll raise it.
shoshomyeza's review against another edition
5.0
It’s spectacular. Wow.
But my only question is: how sure are we that history won’t repeat itself? Ellams portrays this splendid and dramatic overthrow of a supreme abuser. But Zeus was allowed by the other gods to do what he did. So when Modupe kills Zeus, does she also kill the attitudes, the norms, the system that allowed him to abuse all of those women?
I love that this book didn’t leave me with not a happily ever after but with: how do you tear down a tyrant and the system, environment, paradigms that let him succeed in the first place.
Ellams, brilliant.
But my only question is: how sure are we that history won’t repeat itself? Ellams portrays this splendid and dramatic overthrow of a supreme abuser. But Zeus was allowed by the other gods to do what he did. So when Modupe kills Zeus, does she also kill the attitudes, the norms, the system that allowed him to abuse all of those women?
I love that this book didn’t leave me with not a happily ever after but with: how do you tear down a tyrant and the system, environment, paradigms that let him succeed in the first place.
Ellams, brilliant.
mxmacalla's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
edilund's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
thebookedunicorn's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant
An epic poem about the half god Demi. I would recommend you listen to this poem on audio so you will feel every word.
An epic poem about the half god Demi. I would recommend you listen to this poem on audio so you will feel every word.