A review by serendipitysbooks
Things They Lost by Okwiri Oduor

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.25

 Things They Lost is a wonderful blend of lyrical writing, magical realism, a complicated, sometimes dark, matrilineal family story, and some often painful moments in Kenyan history. In fact the experiences of the Brown women function as a sort of metaphor for colonisation and its impacts. The story explores the often fraught bonds between mothers and daughters, as well as the strength of sisterhood forged in friendship. I listened to this on audio which was wonderful - the prose really hummed. I’ll long remember 12 year old Ayosa Ataraxis Brown, her loneliness and longing, and her pain at experiencing her mother and grandmother’s memories. Complex, challenging and compelling.
 
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