jenmat1197's review
4.0
This multigenerational novel begins in 1750 in Uganda with the Kintu clan. It starts when Kintu Kidda, who is a governor, sets out to pledge his alligance to the new ruling family. On his way he sets in motion a curse that follows his family for generations. The book follows the family as they try to lift the curse generation after generation, trying to keep their family bound together even as they spread out and away from each other.
This was a good book. You really have to pay attention because the amount of characters are astounding. And trying to piece together whom belongs to whom is harrowing. It is a well told story, and well written, and gave me insight into some of the customs that take place in Uganda to rid families of what they believe is a curse. The story was captivating right from the beginning and worth a read.
This was a good book. You really have to pay attention because the amount of characters are astounding. And trying to piece together whom belongs to whom is harrowing. It is a well told story, and well written, and gave me insight into some of the customs that take place in Uganda to rid families of what they believe is a curse. The story was captivating right from the beginning and worth a read.
imaima's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dlberglund's review
5.0
Kintu was a fantastic, epic novel of generations of a Ugandan family clan. The first section introduces us to Kintu himself, an important man within his region in 1700s Uganda. His family and their saga become the basis of a legend that grows over the centuries and connects his descendants, bringing us up to 2004. The stories and setting are rich, the characters interesting and flawed, their journeys both believable and historic. Events and politics of Uganda's recent past are addressed in different ways through the narratives of several of these descendants. It truly feels like the great Ugandan novel.
Sweeping sagas of multiple generations or lines of a family are typically not my favorite books. This one is perhaps the most notable exception. It was fresh and lushly written without being overdone. I am sure this is my favorite book of Uganda, written by a Ugandan, that I have ever read.
My advice, especially for those who are unfamiliar with Ugandan names: find a way to take notes or keep track of the characters and their names and relations. The book is almost 450 pages long, and it is a novel, not a book of stories. There are many characters, many stories to tell, and many ways that they carry their history with them. You'll regret it if you lost track of early characters.
Sweeping sagas of multiple generations or lines of a family are typically not my favorite books. This one is perhaps the most notable exception. It was fresh and lushly written without being overdone. I am sure this is my favorite book of Uganda, written by a Ugandan, that I have ever read.
My advice, especially for those who are unfamiliar with Ugandan names: find a way to take notes or keep track of the characters and their names and relations. The book is almost 450 pages long, and it is a novel, not a book of stories. There are many characters, many stories to tell, and many ways that they carry their history with them. You'll regret it if you lost track of early characters.
delsbree's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bex_knighthunterbooks's review against another edition
This was a bit of a risk for me as I've previously struggled with multi-generational sagas (and even historical fiction set before the 1900s). I listened to this on audio and while I don't fault the narration, it did mean I was struggling to keep the characters straight in my head (and wasn't able to make use of the dramatis personae at the start). I was ending up confused and not really following what was going on but it could easily be the case of wrong book wrong time rather than the fault of the book itself. If I had been willing to listen more purposefully (e.g. printing a character list) I might have fared better but I tend to listen to audiobooks while multitasking and I wasn't drawn in by the story enough to be motivated to do this. I'm sure others will enjoy this as it has great ratings from others!
cherechi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
staycy_3's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
That was intense. I enjoyed the storytelling and the word building. The characters were pretty complex but well fleshed out with deeply moving and thought-provoking stories. I loved Miisi’s exploration of post-colonial Uganda and how they ended up hating themselves after seeing the rest of the work look on them with hate. This was a beautiful book 🤌🏽
My only qualm with it was the ending.. Kinda felt a bit dragged in the last 10 or so pages. But the ending itself was well executed.
Jennifer Makumbi is definitely going to be an auto-buy author for me 🙌🏽
My only qualm with it was the ending.. Kinda felt a bit dragged in the last 10 or so pages. But the ending itself was well executed.
Jennifer Makumbi is definitely going to be an auto-buy author for me 🙌🏽
bookishkween's review
adventurous
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
5.0
A quintessential African read! Absolutely loved it!
zezee's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0