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sarah984's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This is a small short story collection, featuring three short stories, an introduction by the author, and a scholarly essay about the direct provision system in Ireland. The stories are great (I particularly liked "Under the Awning") and I found the essay really informative as this isn't a system I'm familiar with.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Child death
lleullawgyffes's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
this book is excellent. the voices in each of the stories both are extremely compelling and — despite the quote-unquote "impersonal" second person use in "Under the Awning" — feel intimate and real. Okorie's writing in and of itself is also technically/stylistically just really impressive (as much in English as in Nigerian Pidgin in the title story): it’s direct (but by no means “simple”, that incredibly loaded word) and polemic without sacrificing its characters’ humanity and complexity and its status as political art, specifically; this can be a challenging balance to strike and Okorie 100% achieves it. I loved this.
Liam Thornton’s essay is also eye-opening as someone who knows nothing about Irish immigration law.
Liam Thornton’s essay is also eye-opening as someone who knows nothing about Irish immigration law.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Child death
Moderate: Sexism
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