How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue

How Beautiful We Were

Imbolo Mbue

368 pages • first pub 2020 (editions)

fiction contemporary literary challenging emotional sad slow-paced

Description

Set in the fictional African village of Kosawa, it tells of a people living in fear amid environmental degradation wrought by an American oil company. Pipeline spills have rendered farmlands infertile. Children are dying from drinking toxic water....

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Community Reviews Summary of 1,279 reviews

Moods

emotional 77%
sad 74%
challenging 63%
reflective 58%
dark 47%
tense 27%
informative 19%
inspiring 16%
hopeful 10%
adventurous 6%
mysterious 1%

Pace

slow 52%
medium 45%
fast 2%

Plot- or character-driven?

A mix: 60% | Character: 20% | Plot: 18%

Strong character development?

Yes: 71% | It's complicated: 21% | No: 5%

Loveable characters?

Yes: 60% | It's complicated: 34% | No: 4%

Diverse cast of characters?

Yes: 86% | It's complicated: 6% | No: 4% | N/A: 2%

Flaws of characters a main focus?

No: 42% | It's complicated: 28% | Yes: 28% | N/A: 1%

Average rating

4.04

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Content Warnings

Submitted by users as part of their reviews

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