A review by sammieolig
Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo

dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

I really didn’t know what to expect going into this book, but I ended up loving it! (I recommend doing quick research on Zimbabwe’s history to set the backdrop for the novel, as that really cleared things up for me.) It’s about the effects of colonialism, loss, generational trauma, feminism, and so much more. 
Bulawayo has such a unique writing style that flows between wit and heartache, and makes you feel the same boiling rage as the characters. I mean, this quote; “We discovered that the true, the proper love for the nation was coming together like we were at that moment doing… That what truly counted was showing up for each other, was refusing silence, was actively fighting for what was right, was demanding justice for your fellow citizens… we discovered that the only way to be a better Jidada was to in fact start by being each other’s treasures.” That’s powerful!!
If you’re considering reading this book, do it! It’s beautiful and fast and has a wonderful blend of infuriating and loveable characters. It feels almost wrong to compare this to Animal Farm, as it just goes so deep into the lives of people affected by an uncaring government and what it takes to bring about change.
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