rachelp's review against another edition
4.0
This is a book of short stories. Actually there are three short stories and two longer short stories. Each story is told from the point of view of a child living in Africa. The stories are about poverty, abuse, religious turmoil, child trafficking, tribal conflict and survival by any means possible. They are told in a flat, almost unemotional voice which did not by any means take away the emotion of the stories.
vanquishingvolumes's review against another edition
3.0
3 Stars - I Liked It
I hate rating short story collection as a whole, because often I had varied reactions to different stories. Some of the stories in this collection were difficult for me to understand and get through, and others were heart wrenching and so rooted in terrible reality that I could neither look away nor stop reading the tale. Told from the perspectives of various children, this collection was haunting in its stark portrayal of the grim reality faced by those living in war torn counties, and the decisions they must make around life and death that impact their loved ones.
Living as a privileged, white, and American woman - it is horrifying and humbling to realize just how life can be for those in other countries. Collections like this remind me how important it is to learn the truth of the world, and fight however I can and wherever I can to make it better for whomever I can.
I hate rating short story collection as a whole, because often I had varied reactions to different stories. Some of the stories in this collection were difficult for me to understand and get through, and others were heart wrenching and so rooted in terrible reality that I could neither look away nor stop reading the tale. Told from the perspectives of various children, this collection was haunting in its stark portrayal of the grim reality faced by those living in war torn counties, and the decisions they must make around life and death that impact their loved ones.
Living as a privileged, white, and American woman - it is horrifying and humbling to realize just how life can be for those in other countries. Collections like this remind me how important it is to learn the truth of the world, and fight however I can and wherever I can to make it better for whomever I can.
roxiefox4's review against another edition
challenging
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
msjoanna's review against another edition
4.0
These stories are so powerful that I could only read this book in short bits interspersed with other reading. It's almost impossible to believe that this is a debut collection. All of the stories in this book are told from the perspective of children, mostly in the seven to thirteen age range. The horror of the stories is revealed slowly as the child begins to realize (at least in part) what is happening. His shorter works are actually much better than the two novella-length pieces in this collection, and I'd recommend starting with those and only moving on to the longer ones if you still want more of these stories. All of the stories are rich in the small details that bring the events to life--descriptions of how hungry children sniff glue to ward off hunger pains, the reverance given to a motorcycle, the reaction of a Muslim boy to TV images. Generally, the narrators were somewhat cold and detached from the tales being told. This helped to make the horrific topics readable, but also made the longer stories less effective. In a short story, the detached voice seemed to work to contain the power of the story, but in a novella-length work, it left this reader too distanced to develop emotional attachment to the characters.
Overall, the book is definitely a way to feel the emotional and human reality of some of the tragedy and violence in Africa, but it's hard to say that I exactly recommend this book as I found it so troubling.
Overall, the book is definitely a way to feel the emotional and human reality of some of the tragedy and violence in Africa, but it's hard to say that I exactly recommend this book as I found it so troubling.
bookish_abena's review against another edition
Summary: Uwem Akpan takes readers on a journey across Africa through the eyes of children. Each story in this collection pays tribute to the wisdom and resilience of children even in the face of agonizing circumstances.
Review:
There are 5 short stories in this collection – An Ex mas Feast, Fattening for Gabon, What language is that, Luxurious Hearses & My parents’ bedroom. Each story explored prominent issues children in Africa face such as poverty, education, religious differences, war and child trafficking among others. After the first story, I had to go back and check out some of the details such as the ages of the children – it felt so unreal. It felt like the narrators were adults instead of children. It felt like a hush reality for any child to go through. Some of the events are horrifying and I had to take a break to catch my breath. For a moment, it made me very appreciative the childhood I had. Truth is that some of the events portrayed are not new to me. Some children in some parts of Africa go through worse circumstances – they have no access to basics such as food, shelter, clean water, education and healthcare. Although the stories are fictitious, the situations depict the reality in some parts of Africa.
Another thing I loved about the book is the origin of stories. The book takes the reader to different places and through different experiences. The reader experiences life in Kenya, Rwanda, Benin, Gabon, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Also, the use of each country’s language shows the authenticity of the stories – there’s a bit of French & Pidgin. Telling tales using language such as Uwem Akpan did makes each story relatable and unique.
The emotions conveyed in the book are heavy, vivid and horrifying. I don’t think these tales will disappear from my mind anytime soon. Also, some of the stories were dragged. It could have been simple and short. Some parts of the dialogue were unnecessary. My favourite story is the last and final hit – “My Parents’ Bedroom”
Review:
There are 5 short stories in this collection – An Ex mas Feast, Fattening for Gabon, What language is that, Luxurious Hearses & My parents’ bedroom. Each story explored prominent issues children in Africa face such as poverty, education, religious differences, war and child trafficking among others. After the first story, I had to go back and check out some of the details such as the ages of the children – it felt so unreal. It felt like the narrators were adults instead of children. It felt like a hush reality for any child to go through. Some of the events are horrifying and I had to take a break to catch my breath. For a moment, it made me very appreciative the childhood I had. Truth is that some of the events portrayed are not new to me. Some children in some parts of Africa go through worse circumstances – they have no access to basics such as food, shelter, clean water, education and healthcare. Although the stories are fictitious, the situations depict the reality in some parts of Africa.
Another thing I loved about the book is the origin of stories. The book takes the reader to different places and through different experiences. The reader experiences life in Kenya, Rwanda, Benin, Gabon, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. Also, the use of each country’s language shows the authenticity of the stories – there’s a bit of French & Pidgin. Telling tales using language such as Uwem Akpan did makes each story relatable and unique.
The emotions conveyed in the book are heavy, vivid and horrifying. I don’t think these tales will disappear from my mind anytime soon. Also, some of the stories were dragged. It could have been simple and short. Some parts of the dialogue were unnecessary. My favourite story is the last and final hit – “My Parents’ Bedroom”
paulineerika's review against another edition
4.0
I really should have heeded the reviews that warned me to read this in happier times.
On a completely different note, I don't think I care for two novellas in a collection of short stories. And I will admit that one of the novellas went a little over my head. I didn't completely grasp the cultural and societal references.
On a completely different note, I don't think I care for two novellas in a collection of short stories. And I will admit that one of the novellas went a little over my head. I didn't completely grasp the cultural and societal references.
aprivateislander's review against another edition
2.0
This book was a bit of a disappointment for me.
Unlike many of the reviewers, it would seem, I was well aware of the atrocities of poverty and war in Africa. I've seen enough documentaries, watched enough news programs, and read enough biographies to know the full extent of the situation. Perhaps because I was not ignorant of what was going on that this book fell so flat for me.
As someone who has heard all these stories before, Akpan didn't bring much more to the table to me. It was written in the generic voice of how adults seem to believe kids think, and the style and way of writing I felt clouded the stories. His ideas were excellent (especially in Luxurious Hearses), but I felt they were bogged down by the writing and I agree with reviewers who believe that limiting his stories length would benefit him greatly.
All that aside, this book is noble for bringing awareness to those who have managed to ignore all news reports on these sorts of situations. If you're already aware? Skip it, it's nothing special.
Unlike many of the reviewers, it would seem, I was well aware of the atrocities of poverty and war in Africa. I've seen enough documentaries, watched enough news programs, and read enough biographies to know the full extent of the situation. Perhaps because I was not ignorant of what was going on that this book fell so flat for me.
As someone who has heard all these stories before, Akpan didn't bring much more to the table to me. It was written in the generic voice of how adults seem to believe kids think, and the style and way of writing I felt clouded the stories. His ideas were excellent (especially in Luxurious Hearses), but I felt they were bogged down by the writing and I agree with reviewers who believe that limiting his stories length would benefit him greatly.
All that aside, this book is noble for bringing awareness to those who have managed to ignore all news reports on these sorts of situations. If you're already aware? Skip it, it's nothing special.
bookreviewswithkb's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
3.5
3.5 ⭐️
short stories
there is such a dark overlay on each of these stories, a darkness that you can feel and sense while reading them. they were all so uncomfortable to read in their rigid honesty. the world is full of atrocities and the author explores specifically how they impact children in various countries throughout Africa. it’s horrendous and also it holds a mirror up
isnerd's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
upthescene's review against another edition
2.0
Not bad. But not really good either. Couldn't really get into it, and I thought the writing was so-so.