cactusmotif's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
sam_bizar_wilcox's review
5.0
The stories in Igifu are kind of perfect. Mukasonga is often thought of in relief of other Francophone writers, or other Pan-African writers. These are fair comparisons, but I also think Mukasonga has much in common with the twisted, deadpan horror of Kafka; horror and unfounded suffering are brought to light in the presence of war. Mukasonga, unlike Kafka, exposes real, human emotion, and her stories are made all the better for it.
aishathebibliophile's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
alexkapsidelis's review
emotional
sad
fast-paced
5.0
a completely beautiful, heartbreaking collection of stories
meenakshi's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
smatthew459's review
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
adrianasturalvarez's review
4.0
Such a fine collection of stories from an author I MUST read more from (she also has one of the best names I've ever come across). There are no weak stories in this collection but a few of them stand out as masterful (The Curse of Beauty and Fear, for me).
One of the aspects that really impressed me about this collection is Mukasonga's use of narrator. At times her narrators are kept at a distance from the protagonist and at other times up close and terrified but they always feel like the voice of a community. It is an interesting mix of memoir and witness. I'm not sure how much of these stories are autobiographical but they use all the tools and striking details of memory to create a compelling narrative.
Highly recommended!
One of the aspects that really impressed me about this collection is Mukasonga's use of narrator. At times her narrators are kept at a distance from the protagonist and at other times up close and terrified but they always feel like the voice of a community. It is an interesting mix of memoir and witness. I'm not sure how much of these stories are autobiographical but they use all the tools and striking details of memory to create a compelling narrative.
Highly recommended!