thebookguru's review against another edition
3.0
It's set in Northern Nigeria a very conservative place and it's about this older Muslim woman who meets this thug and they end up having an illicit affair.
this book is diverse because it explores how older women (in northern Nigeria) have feelings and desires and also how society impacts relationships.
there were some great lines in the book and some profound moments and it deals with various issues as the different characters deal with their own demons. This book also made me hungry to try Nigerian food because there was a lot of mention of food and it all sounds really delicious.
If you want to read a book set in northern Nigeria featuring an old Muslim woman having an affair with a crook then yeah this is the book for you. Also if you like books about doomed relationships then read this.
this book is diverse because it explores how older women (in northern Nigeria) have feelings and desires and also how society impacts relationships.
there were some great lines in the book and some profound moments and it deals with various issues as the different characters deal with their own demons. This book also made me hungry to try Nigerian food because there was a lot of mention of food and it all sounds really delicious.
If you want to read a book set in northern Nigeria featuring an old Muslim woman having an affair with a crook then yeah this is the book for you. Also if you like books about doomed relationships then read this.
jhadiin's review against another edition
5.0
I loved a lot of things with this book, but first off, I'd like to applaud Abubakar (the author) for his gift of weaving in subtlety, especially with themes.
• I like how for most of the characters introduced, we get vignettes of their lives, so while they might not be present in the story in the long run, I have a piece of their background story to take with me.
• The sprinkling of Hausa/Arabic phrases? Divine! That's how you write a conversation, because that's how real people talk in real life.
• The depiction of religion as regards to trauma and therapy. Hureira (representing most people) interpreting trauma and grief to demon possession was spot-on. (bless Sadiya's heart for the therapy suggestion. I really wish Fa'iza went along with it)
• Religion and hypocrisy. All the aunties and community people were so quick at crucifying Binta for her relationship with Reza that they glossed over how their own lives aren't even as perfect. Again, this is how most real life religious people act.
• Even though a part of me can't reconcile with the way Reza ended, I hope he finally got to see the sea. :,-)
• I like how for most of the characters introduced, we get vignettes of their lives, so while they might not be present in the story in the long run, I have a piece of their background story to take with me.
• The sprinkling of Hausa/Arabic phrases? Divine! That's how you write a conversation, because that's how real people talk in real life.
• The depiction of religion as regards to trauma and therapy. Hureira (representing most people) interpreting trauma and grief to demon possession was spot-on. (bless Sadiya's heart for the therapy suggestion. I really wish Fa'iza went along with it)
• Religion and hypocrisy. All the aunties and community people were so quick at crucifying Binta for her relationship with Reza that they glossed over how their own lives aren't even as perfect. Again, this is how most real life religious people act.
• Even though a part of me can't reconcile with the way Reza ended, I hope he finally got to see the sea. :,-)
zyzah's review against another edition
3.0
This debut is quite promising and the author writes well.
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It is a story of an affair between Binta, a 55 year old woman who already has grand kids and Reza, a local gang leader and drug dealer. I loved the blurb. When I saw it was an affair between a 55 year old Hajiya and a 25 year old drug dealer. I was really curious and excited, but my excitement collapsed half way through the book. Why?
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1. Reza reminded Binta of her first son who had died in the police hands and Binta reminded Reza of his mother who had left him as a kid, so the relationship to me was a way for both of them to deal with a longing, a grief. I just wished the relationship was natural, like real love natural, you know. Like I love you 25 year old Boy, I just love you and not because you remind me of my son who I couldn't show love to. .
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2. Over description and I felt there were many scenes that did nothing to the plot.
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3. The end of the book seemed forced, like the author after he started the story didn't know how to end it and just settled for a very cliché end . Not like I'm against clichés, I just don't like regular 😋. I'm still annoyed o, like the end could have been better. The story line was too good to end that way. .
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The story was set in Abuja and Jos, Nigeria and in the background, the author explored the violence in Jos, Politics, Mental Health, Election wahala, Motherhood, Grief and painted vividly the North Central Nigeria.
What I really like about the book is the vividness of the characters.
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It is a story of an affair between Binta, a 55 year old woman who already has grand kids and Reza, a local gang leader and drug dealer. I loved the blurb. When I saw it was an affair between a 55 year old Hajiya and a 25 year old drug dealer. I was really curious and excited, but my excitement collapsed half way through the book. Why?
.
1. Reza reminded Binta of her first son who had died in the police hands and Binta reminded Reza of his mother who had left him as a kid, so the relationship to me was a way for both of them to deal with a longing, a grief. I just wished the relationship was natural, like real love natural, you know. Like I love you 25 year old Boy, I just love you and not because you remind me of my son who I couldn't show love to. .
.
2. Over description and I felt there were many scenes that did nothing to the plot.
.
3. The end of the book seemed forced, like the author after he started the story didn't know how to end it and just settled for a very cliché end . Not like I'm against clichés, I just don't like regular 😋. I'm still annoyed o, like the end could have been better. The story line was too good to end that way. .
.
.
The story was set in Abuja and Jos, Nigeria and in the background, the author explored the violence in Jos, Politics, Mental Health, Election wahala, Motherhood, Grief and painted vividly the North Central Nigeria.
What I really like about the book is the vividness of the characters.
nini23's review
3.75
Great opening, snagging the reader's attention immediately: Hajiya Binta Zubairu was finally born at fifty-five when a dark-lipped rogue with short, spiky hair, like a field of miniscule anthills scaled her fence and landed, boots and all, in the puddle that was her heart.
Set in northern Nigeria among Hausa Muslims, Season of Crimson Blossoms is about the romance between the 55 yo Binta, widow, school teacher and grandmother, and Reza, a 25 yo marijuana dealer and gang leader. The basis for mutual attraction is that Reza reminds Binta of her deceased son Yaro and Binta reminds Reza of his mother who abandoned him.
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim writes with thinly veiled sarcasm and irony about the rampant corruption and collusion in politics and the police force. We also learn about the tragic circumstances (riots) under which Binta lost her family members: "My husband, God rest his soul, was killed by some Christian boys he employed. They were people he called by their birth names and did business with. My sister's husband and her son were hacked to death by their Christian neighbours because a woman urged them to. But my sister and her daughters were saved from being raped and murdered by a Christian woman whose husband had been killed by some Muslim youths." The effect of this violent family trauma is especially evident in Binta's niece Fa'iza who witnessed the murder of her father and brother.
Binta's sexual awakening is simultaneously smothered with overwhelming feelings of shame. Her Muslim community and neighbourhood, especially at the madrasa, spread rampant gossip and ostracize her once the affair is known. When her son Munkaila finds out, things really spiral out of control.
I really like the chapter titles eg. Chapter 8 "An elephant's tusk are never too heavy for it to carry," Chapter 9 "A bird that flies from the ground onto an anthill doesn’t know that it is still on the ground," Chapter 20 "An emaciated elephant is still better than ten frogs" - they tie in neatly with the chapter contents.
Winner of 2016 Nigeria Prize for Literature.
Set in northern Nigeria among Hausa Muslims, Season of Crimson Blossoms is about the romance between the 55 yo Binta, widow, school teacher and grandmother, and Reza, a 25 yo marijuana dealer and gang leader. The basis for mutual attraction is that Reza reminds Binta of her deceased son Yaro and Binta reminds Reza of his mother who abandoned him.
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim writes with thinly veiled sarcasm and irony about the rampant corruption and collusion in politics and the police force. We also learn about the tragic circumstances (riots) under which Binta lost her family members: "My husband, God rest his soul, was killed by some Christian boys he employed. They were people he called by their birth names and did business with. My sister's husband and her son were hacked to death by their Christian neighbours because a woman urged them to. But my sister and her daughters were saved from being raped and murdered by a Christian woman whose husband had been killed by some Muslim youths." The effect of this violent family trauma is especially evident in Binta's niece Fa'iza who witnessed the murder of her father and brother.
Binta's sexual awakening is simultaneously smothered with overwhelming feelings of shame. Her Muslim community and neighbourhood, especially at the madrasa, spread rampant gossip and ostracize her once the affair is known. When her son Munkaila finds out, things really spiral out of control.
I really like the chapter titles eg. Chapter 8 "An elephant's tusk are never too heavy for it to carry," Chapter 9 "A bird that flies from the ground onto an anthill doesn’t know that it is still on the ground," Chapter 20 "An emaciated elephant is still better than ten frogs" - they tie in neatly with the chapter contents.
Winner of 2016 Nigeria Prize for Literature.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Religious bigotry, Kidnapping, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Police brutality, Violence, Sexism, and Drug use
Minor: Racism
bukolayemi's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Season of Crimson Blossoms by Abubakar Adam Ibrahim
A good writer can make the reader love a villain. I had so much love and empathy for Reze, a 25 year old gang leader with blood on his hands but love in his heart. Reze feel in love with Hajiya Binta, a 55 year old widow old enough to be his mother. Bintu became a vault for his money and his emotions.
I love the beautiful writing, quotes and references to other books. I loved an the older character being shown as passionate. The character development was really good. Especially the explanation Fa’iza’s (one of the minor characters) mental health.
Themes in this book include politics, class, mental health and therapy, religion and sexuality, religious riots, family dynamics, gang culture and family.
There are no permanent friends in politics, only permanent interests. We see this play throughout the book.
Set in Northern Nigeria, this book has many Hausa words and phrases thrown in for good measure.
An example of beautiful writing in the book:
“Binta would reflect later, that the petals of her life, like a bud that had endured half a century of nights, began to unfurl.”
irmamari's review against another edition
5.0
this is one of those books that pulls you into itself and plays with you emotions. Such a beautiful book, which depicts 2 different backstories and lives. At first, I was curious to see if the author actually would be able to describe such an ''unordinary'' relationship, but it surpassed my expectations by far. These type of books always remind me that, even if the ending isn't the way I expected it to be, I can still enjoy the book, and be mesmerized. It also taught me a lot about the customs of that area and the way religion plays such a critical roll in establishing those (mostly bizarre )rules.
bingereading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, and Kidnapping
eseide's review against another edition
3.0
On the surface, this novel is about the story between Binta, a 55-year-old grandmother, and Reza, a 20-something drug dealer criminal. Set in northern Nigeria, this affair is really a representation of the repressiveness of the culture of Muslim Hausa society. Binta is grieving the loss of her son, Yaro, and finds maternal redemption in her love for Reza. In turn, Reza finds solace in loving Binta, who reminds him of his mother who abandoned him when he was a child. I found this Oedipus/ Jocasta relationship quite distasteful at first, but I accepted it to learn the reasons behind it.
There are themes of unfulfilled dreams, repression of grief and loss, and how violence only begets violence. Ibrahim is critical of these societal mores and presents a sad story against the background of political upheaval and misogynistic religious oppression. Other characters in the Binta / Reza orbit are suffering from PTSD and feelings of betrayal from society’s lack of sympathy to violence and encouragement of sexism. It affects everyone, and eventually the discovery of the affair causes an explosion in this cultural crucible.
Though the setting and characters are interesting, the story was at times repetitive and in the middle became tiresome. The ending was powerful. It’s a complicated story with an important message, and is definitely worth your time.
There are themes of unfulfilled dreams, repression of grief and loss, and how violence only begets violence. Ibrahim is critical of these societal mores and presents a sad story against the background of political upheaval and misogynistic religious oppression. Other characters in the Binta / Reza orbit are suffering from PTSD and feelings of betrayal from society’s lack of sympathy to violence and encouragement of sexism. It affects everyone, and eventually the discovery of the affair causes an explosion in this cultural crucible.
Though the setting and characters are interesting, the story was at times repetitive and in the middle became tiresome. The ending was powerful. It’s a complicated story with an important message, and is definitely worth your time.
jesujuwonlo's review
dark
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.0