I enjoyed the unpredictable storyline in this new novel and the exposition of Sudanese culture. This was just my second book by a writer from Sudan, tI enjoyed the unpredictable storyline in this new novel and the exposition of Sudanese culture. This was just my second book by a writer from Sudan, the other being "Season of Migration to the North" by Tayeb Salih (1966). ...more
On this novel Achebe continues his examination of the changes to Nigerian village life that took place in the early 20th century, when ancient customsOn this novel Achebe continues his examination of the changes to Nigerian village life that took place in the early 20th century, when ancient customs persisted but new customs challenged them. It also has themes of greed, pride, family solidarity and the mistakes of British colonialism....more
A tale of a young man growing up and also of European and African culture, and changes to African culture. Good writing- I liked it and may read anothA tale of a young man growing up and also of European and African culture, and changes to African culture. Good writing- I liked it and may read another by Gurnah, possibly Paradise which was shortlisted for the Man Booker prize....more
Kanya D’Almeida was the overall winner of the 2021 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, for this “captivating� tale set in a Sri Lankan “sanctuary for the Kanya D’Almeida was the overall winner of the 2021 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, for this “captivating� tale set in a Sri Lankan “sanctuary for the forsaken�. Can be read online at Granta.com....more
While this is an entertaining, hip story of a young man's coming of age, his love life and his friends and family, it also has serious themes of racisWhile this is an entertaining, hip story of a young man's coming of age, his love life and his friends and family, it also has serious themes of racism, sexism, and finding one's place in the world. Very good....more
The prose is not amazing but the story and characters are the strong points. This was largely based on Emecheta's own life primarily the time just befThe prose is not amazing but the story and characters are the strong points. This was largely based on Emecheta's own life primarily the time just before and just after her immigration to England from Nigeria. After a solid writing career the UK honored her with an OBE....more
Quite a bit going on in the story, which is very well written, and with very interesting characters. If you like the novels of Adichie, her countrywomQuite a bit going on in the story, which is very well written, and with very interesting characters. If you like the novels of Adichie, her countrywoman, I think you would like this....more
The novel takes us to a time and place pretty much unknown to us- what we know about Vietnam is mostly about the time of the war, and for those in theThe novel takes us to a time and place pretty much unknown to us- what we know about Vietnam is mostly about the time of the war, and for those in the southern half. Here we are with working-class and middle-class Vietnamese in the time after the war, and the protagonist's time as a guest worker in allied Russia. This is accompanied by some lovely, moving prose and depiction of the emotions of a young woman's struggles. Really well-done and recommended....more
3.5 stars The strange historical fiction about the king of the Zulu tribe circa 1800 in what is now Lesotho. Apparently much of the history is accura3.5 stars The strange historical fiction about the king of the Zulu tribe circa 1800 in what is now Lesotho. Apparently much of the history is accurate though not all. The writing style reminded me of folk-art paintings by an untrained but talented artist....more
Some excellent writing. My favorite story was "The Laundromat" which is somewhat sentimental. Some of the stories are gritty.Some excellent writing. My favorite story was "The Laundromat" which is somewhat sentimental. Some of the stories are gritty....more
I rather liked it, esp the last quarter, which got into witchcraft/magical realism. Strangely it somewhat reminded me of the writing of Marjorie KinanI rather liked it, esp the last quarter, which got into witchcraft/magical realism. Strangely it somewhat reminded me of the writing of Marjorie Kinan Rawlings in books like Cross Creek and South Moon Under....more
2.5* I have read novels by Moroccan and Egyptian writers, but this was my first by an Algerian writer. The style is a mixture of traditional novel and 2.5* I have read novels by Moroccan and Egyptian writers, but this was my first by an Algerian writer. The style is a mixture of traditional novel and prose poetry. I found the style to be excessively melodramatic to the point of histrionic, but I wanted to get more variety in my reading and stuck with it. Evidently Mosteghanemi is very popular in Arabic- speaking countries, I would guess mostly with women readers. The story could be described as revolving around a failed romance, which became fairly one-sided, along with a focus on violent death and injury in revolution or uprising. Frequently the writing is choppy short poetic sentences. ...more
Some beautiful writing in here by Ms Head. I previously enjoyed her books of shorts, “The Collector of Treasures�- this novel is even better. I also reSome beautiful writing in here by Ms Head. I previously enjoyed her books of shorts, “The Collector of Treasures�- this novel is even better. I also read the included short memoir "Crackling Day" by Peter Abrahams, which is a moving piece on racism....more
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