A review by beccakatie
An Orchestra of Minorities by Chigozie Obioma

emotional sad 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

3.25

Writing this book with traditional Igbo traditions and in the voice of Nonso’s chi offered an interesting perspective, allowing us to understand Nonso, his thoughts and feelings, but being encouraged to criticise him for his mistakes. Despite this, his chi seems to often try to make excuses for him, with the book labelling this as an issue of fate versus free will. While I think examining where he and Ndali were doomed from the very beginning, despite, or because of, all of the trials they went through, I think this question removes a lot of personal responsibility. By the end of the book Nonso has become an character, who constantly seems to regress to unreasonable behaviour. While what he goes through is certainly tragic and would certainly effect someone, throughout the book he seems to lurch from bad decision to bad decision. 
The book is also hindered by not allowing any of the other characters any growth or progression. Ndali is such a central figure of the book, and yet we never really know her. The reader can objectively understand her actions and motivations much of the time, but  is little chance to deeply understand her or the connection she feels towards Nonso.
This book is a true story of tragedy and is such an interesting premise, weaving Igbo tradition with concepts of fate and destiny, but is restricted by the failure to build a range of characters to connect with.