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mfiguebook9's review against another edition
4.0
J'ai bien aimé l'histoire, et la richesse de vocabulaire aussi
mariajw's review against another edition
2.0
Regardless of whether the accusations that this was ghostwritten by a European are true or not, this is a very sad book - because of the nostalgic alienation tragedy aspect and because everything about it seems to be designed to cater to the 'European gaze' perspective on Africa. :(
anyavedantambe's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book more than I expected. His descriptions of growing up and leaving home rlly resonated with me and he wrote with nuance. 4 stars only bc there were so many words I didn't understand
bluestjuice's review against another edition
4.0
A brief memoir of the author's life as a child and teenager in French Guinea during the 30s and 40s - a classic autobiographical snapshot. I read this in English translation. Camara's writing is evocative and expressive and he paints a portrait of his childhood experiences that is not at all romantic, but simultaneously has an almost spiritual quality, which feeds into the increasing tension that develops as his French education pulls him farther and farther away from his family cultural roots. At its heart this is a story of Camara exploring what sort of man he wants to become, which is a question that encompasses how fully he wants to embrace European customs and education, but also includes decisions about what sort of role he envisions for himself within the context of his French Guinean home.
janellephant's review against another edition
3.0
First book I've read entirely in French, which I'm pretty proud of. It was an easy enough read for someone with 3-4 years of language experience.
hanntastic's review against another edition
4.0
Global Read Challenge: Guinea
This is a very readable sweet autobiography. It certainly paints a rosy picture and is a pretty enjoyable read. It was definitely more about atmosphere and characters than plot, which was totally fine. There was enough explanation so that a foreign audience would get it, but not so much that it became dull.
This is a very readable sweet autobiography. It certainly paints a rosy picture and is a pretty enjoyable read. It was definitely more about atmosphere and characters than plot, which was totally fine. There was enough explanation so that a foreign audience would get it, but not so much that it became dull.