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rebeccalm's review against another edition
4.0
I stumbled upon this book by accident and the synopsis sounded interesting enough to give it a try - I'm glad I did. I listened to this as an audio-book narrated by Gideon Emery and he was so good!
This was Keita Aii's story of struggle and triumph to flee an oppressive and violent regime and make his way in a new world where he wouldn't have to live in fear. But true to many an immigrant story (not that there is only one 'typical' story) he encounters unexpected hardships with little to no support. This novel follows Keita as he attempts to navigate his own new life circumstances, as well as a hostile political climate in his new country of residence.
The book follows the perspectives of a couple different characters and is told in an easily relatable and human way. This novel is very much a work of fiction that takes place in a non-existent country, and it is told in as lighthearted a way as possible for this type of subject matter. Keita is the ever positive and resilient main character - no matter how bad his circumstances become his drive is never hampered or diminished. Despite it's overly (and some might say, unrealistically) optimistic tone, this story felt eerily relevant to the 'illegal' immigrant conversations that are happening today. I enjoyed it!
This was Keita Aii's story of struggle and triumph to flee an oppressive and violent regime and make his way in a new world where he wouldn't have to live in fear. But true to many an immigrant story (not that there is only one 'typical' story) he encounters unexpected hardships with little to no support. This novel follows Keita as he attempts to navigate his own new life circumstances, as well as a hostile political climate in his new country of residence.
The book follows the perspectives of a couple different characters and is told in an easily relatable and human way. This novel is very much a work of fiction that takes place in a non-existent country, and it is told in as lighthearted a way as possible for this type of subject matter. Keita is the ever positive and resilient main character - no matter how bad his circumstances become his drive is never hampered or diminished. Despite it's overly (and some might say, unrealistically) optimistic tone, this story felt eerily relevant to the 'illegal' immigrant conversations that are happening today. I enjoyed it!
teaandlibri's review against another edition
2.0
Another book that didn't deserve the hype. It seemed like a highly topical read: Keita is a young man on the run, literally. After the murder of his father he flees and ends up part of an underground of a group of undocumented and fleeting group of refugees and immigrants. He runs to win prizes so he can ransom his sister while eluding the authorities. Seems like a page-turning thriller that's perfect for the recent news, isn't it?
Unfortunately, it's not. I haven't read Hill's other book ('Someone Knows My Name' which is also known as 'The Book of Negros') so I had nothing to compare it to. But seemed really quite terrible. After a really interesting introduction to Keita we then shift gears and shift perspectives. I hate this tactic. The book summaries area also very misleading because they focus on Keita. After we are introduced to Viola I was bored. I didn't care about her or her story, I wanted to follow Keita. If done well then shifting perspectives don't bother me (I just read a book with this) but here I was frustrated by the misleading marketing yet again.
As other reviewers note there is a bit of artifice to the book. I also why or how a country could be called Freedom State (the name's just cheesy), why the plot seemed so contrived, etc. It is clearly set in the near future and could be a true story (for example, Barack Obama is mentioned as a throwaway line), but it just felt so...boring. I'm not sure if Hill was trying to capture the artifice that refugees face: being neither here nor there, being unable to go home but being unable to really *live* where they are now. A state of perpetual transit in a way, even though they can't really go anywhere. It didn't really work here.
I had been looking forward to it. The first chapters totally captured me and I was curious to know how Keita was going to extract himself at the beginning (not to mention how we got there). But I'd say this seemed poorly edited and needed more time (apparently it took him 5 years to write this?) to simmer. It's a pity because it seemed like a really interesting premise. I still may check out 'The Book of Negros' though.
Borrow from the library.
Unfortunately, it's not. I haven't read Hill's other book ('Someone Knows My Name' which is also known as 'The Book of Negros') so I had nothing to compare it to. But seemed really quite terrible. After a really interesting introduction to Keita we then shift gears and shift perspectives. I hate this tactic. The book summaries area also very misleading because they focus on Keita. After we are introduced to Viola I was bored. I didn't care about her or her story, I wanted to follow Keita. If done well then shifting perspectives don't bother me (I just read a book with this) but here I was frustrated by the misleading marketing yet again.
As other reviewers note there is a bit of artifice to the book. I also why or how a country could be called Freedom State (the name's just cheesy), why the plot seemed so contrived, etc. It is clearly set in the near future and could be a true story (for example, Barack Obama is mentioned as a throwaway line), but it just felt so...boring. I'm not sure if Hill was trying to capture the artifice that refugees face: being neither here nor there, being unable to go home but being unable to really *live* where they are now. A state of perpetual transit in a way, even though they can't really go anywhere. It didn't really work here.
I had been looking forward to it. The first chapters totally captured me and I was curious to know how Keita was going to extract himself at the beginning (not to mention how we got there). But I'd say this seemed poorly edited and needed more time (apparently it took him 5 years to write this?) to simmer. It's a pity because it seemed like a really interesting premise. I still may check out 'The Book of Negros' though.
Borrow from the library.
miadesjardins's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
meganlee007's review against another edition
3.0
Tiny spoilers.
Like a lot of the other reviews out there.. the fictional countries threw me off. Why not just use real places? The story was very farfetched. I have never heard of a race with winnings of 25 grand?
I liked the story of Keita and his father, that felt real. I feel like it went downhill once the government conspiracy was introduced.
It was wrapped up with a neat little bow. Not realistic.
Like a lot of the other reviews out there.. the fictional countries threw me off. Why not just use real places? The story was very farfetched. I have never heard of a race with winnings of 25 grand?
I liked the story of Keita and his father, that felt real. I feel like it went downhill once the government conspiracy was introduced.
It was wrapped up with a neat little bow. Not realistic.
karimorton33's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! A good fictional commentary that reflects aspects of our current society. I felt it had the feeling of magical realism, even though everything that happened within it could certainly be reality. I especially enjoyed the characters of Yoyo, Ivernia, and Viola, as I felt like they fought for what was right without regard for personal consequences. John was awesome too! (Read for Condo Book Club)
rossbm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
An enjoyable listen as an audiobook. I liked the descriptions of running, though the abilities of the main character and supporting characters seemed unrealistic. A cabinet minister for the federal government of a large and prosperous nation running a half marathon in under 90 minutes? Maybe, though it would be hard to find time to train in real life. In the book, it seems like “Freedom State” is run like a banana republic. It’s a stupid name also. I would have preferred that the books be set in two real countries. Overall, a nice book but kind of dumb.
sjdunlop's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing second book. Strong start with some good descriptive passages, but weak plotting. Silly characters.
bibliotequeish's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately I did not like this book as much as I thought it would.It had its moments, but overall I could not get into it. Its unfortunate when there is so much hype around an author, greatness is always expected.
lulumajorca's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
3.75
Lovely posse of characters with a heart-filled message regarding the importance of having compassion for our neighbours, both locally and across borders.
jwoolley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75