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amandajeanne's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lenoel's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
nicovreeland's review against another edition
1.0
After you get over how disappointing this book is, it can be kind of funny. I mean, Habila compares the plight of Nigerians exploited and ruined by the greed of oil companies to ....... the people looking for dry land in "Waterworld." Seriously? Yes. http://chamberfour.com/2011/06/09/review-oil-on-water/
mereas's review against another edition
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
As much as I loved the information on Big Oil, petroculture, and cli-fi at the Niger Delta, I felt that the narrative was rather sexist at times in all of Habila's non-men figures. The protagonist(s), Rufus and Zaq, used women to pursue their career in journalism, but I could not tell if Habila was commenting on the patriarchy or adding to it. Though, Habila did accurately portray the dehumanization and dissociation which comes with journalism and photography.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, and Death
Minor: Misogyny, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
jduncan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
emybemy's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
annmeyer's review against another edition
4.0
a gripping novel surrounding the violence of petrocultures, particularly in the nigerian delta. deals heavily with themes of environmental, individual, and communal trauma, memory, truth, and journalistic integrity and work. incredibly powerful, moving, and educational. you will not think of oil and the oil industry the same after this book.
kvokolek's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Rape, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death and Sexual content
jmlayton's review against another edition
3.0
Best part about the book was the chronology, not the characters.