A review by emii_k
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I will preface this by saying this was a required read. Although, I’ve liked required reads in the past, I really did not like this book whatsoever. On one hand, this is a very important story, and I am fully and wholeheartedly for the telling of stories like this. But the kicker for me was that I genuinely hated the main character.  I could not stand him, which in turn ruined the entire book for me; I don’t want to pick up a book when the main character continues to piss me off worse and worse as the story progresses
And how he treats Neni?? The financial manipulation?? The justification of infidelity? Blatant abuse? Nu uh
. The ending also felt very rushed. All of this time was spend building up to a conclusion and then it sort of just, ended? A lot of threads were left fraying. Mbue is a good writer, and she is able to craft stories well but I simply could not get past some of these characters, especially Jende. As a child of immigrants (albeit I’m white as a sheet), I tried to like this book, and hoped to find some connections but it fell flat.
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