Reviews

Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo

bibliobethreads's review against another edition

challenging dark funny inspiring reflective sad medium-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? No

3.25

fridayeblack's review against another edition

4.0

I switched between the physical book and the audiobook because both formats were so enjoyable. The audiobook narrator didn't just read Bulawayo's writing but performed it, adding extra intensity to the story. The story is so familiar, and mirrors many real world events, and despite satire so dark and bitter Bulawayo's writing makes you laugh out loud at some points. This book will not be for everyone, but the characters were so rich and the writing so entertaining I think it's worth picking up. (Subject matter is very dark, a couple notable sections that depict graphic military brutality).

parsnipsnap's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

diversifyyourshelf's review against another edition

not vibing with the writing style. the author uses a lot of words and a lot of pages to communicate something simple.

payindigo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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? No

4.25

notthatcosta's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

As a fan of Animal Farm I found myself invested very early into picking this book up. In the same way as the former, the use of animals (animalisation?) initially disarmed me and gave me some levity before the multiple, inevitable emotional gut punches that were to come.

I found this book to be immaculately paced and immaculately executed, most notably in the inclusion of social media, that I rarely seen done successfully in any form of media.

It’s cliche but this is the kind of book I would love to see rolled out in schools like mine, where the majority of the students descended from former colonies who will recognise Jidada and its inhabitants in their family members.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and War

juliachilver's review against another edition

5.0

Stunning book. When writing about the worst of humanity the story is easier written as animals but this is the worst of humans.

didnt_know_ju_could_read's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

rn_readsbooks's review against another edition

3.0

Review: Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo

I don't tend to gel with the books that end up on the Booker lists, but I've added 9 of them to my reading list, with Glory being the second (after Nightcrawling). Spoiler: meh

ktindol's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0