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guinness74's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
It took me longer than expected to finish this book. It’s a long collection of essays, but some of them are forceful in their thought provocation. I had to sit with some things, which is the sign of quality writing in my opinion. I didn’t care for some of the essays as they seemed like reviews of art showings, or movies, or something like that, but there are a few, particularly the one on immigration near the end of the book, that are challenging to digest. I very much like Cole’s writing style and I would definitely read more.
marcymurli's review
3.0
I always enjoy reading Cole's gorgeous prose, and this book is no exception. However, there is a bit too much of the book that focuses on his love of photography for my taste. The travel writing is quite compelling, especially when he writes about being in Switzerland and comparing his experiences with James Baldwin's or his travels along the US-Mexico border or in Palestine (which I wish there was more of). One of my favourite essays is the one on the White Saviour Industrial Complex, an essay that remains as relevant and when he wrote it in 2012 in response to the Kony campaign.
pyrokel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
4.75
This book made me think hard about my place in the world and the everyday choices I make. That may not have been the intent of this amazing collection of essays, but it is how it affected me today.
tombennett72's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating - my first exposure to Teju Cole’s writing. Which is clear, articulate, interesting and well informed. And therefore very enjoyable.
But I’m not sure that this is really a collection of essays in the true sense.
There are many thoughts within this book, and several extremely interesting pieces. But very often they are an expression of experiences or ideas. I’m used to essays being illuminating and explanatory and this isn’t always the case: always interesting, sometimes nothing more.
I read this book in two quite fast splurges. I bogged down about halfway through and read a couple of other books before coming back to the second half.
Overall, very good, very interesting. Worth reading.
But I’m not sure that this is really a collection of essays in the true sense.
There are many thoughts within this book, and several extremely interesting pieces. But very often they are an expression of experiences or ideas. I’m used to essays being illuminating and explanatory and this isn’t always the case: always interesting, sometimes nothing more.
I read this book in two quite fast splurges. I bogged down about halfway through and read a couple of other books before coming back to the second half.
Overall, very good, very interesting. Worth reading.
hazelnutperson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.75