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A review by fuzzyhebrew
Small Country by Gaël Faye
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Having just finished Ishmael Beah's A long Way Gone this book contrasts a central message of that one. In this one, the main character does not get corrupted by the civil war. Though he does make a decision to kill someone, he maintains his humanity and tries to be better than the forces around him. I was relieved by this because the other events of the book are so horrifying. My heart goes out to those who had to live through wars like these, and those who will have to live through them. No one deserves that, not the author, and not the narrator.
I always enjoy books written by adults but told through the lens of a child, and this was no exception. I thought the writing was simple but beautiful and the characters were fleshed out enough to care about them. My only complaint is that I felt the book could have spent some time talking about the adjustment of the main character after fleeing Burundi. But maybe that's another book in the making.
I always enjoy books written by adults but told through the lens of a child, and this was no exception. I thought the writing was simple but beautiful and the characters were fleshed out enough to care about them. My only complaint is that I felt the book could have spent some time talking about the adjustment of the main character after fleeing Burundi. But maybe that's another book in the making.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder