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ohlhauc's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Another great addition to the author's body of work. Per his style, it's precisely but evocatively written, full of aphorisms, has an introspective narrator, and incorporates the desert, Tuareg spirituality, and fabulism/magic realism.
It follows the life of a boy who eventually becomes a sovereign, but more important, it's a story that looks at the forces of greed, fatherhood and family in general, solitude, keeping promises, inclusion and banishment. Note: while the introduction mentions a bit about Anubis, the Egyptian god, this story does not go in-depth of that deity but rather anubis, plural of anubi, which means a fatherless child.
If you enjoy al-Koni's works, you'll love this. If you love fable-like, reflective stories where the entire world has a soul and which makes sharp commentary on social issues, you'll love this too. Highly, highly recommend.
It follows the life of a boy who eventually becomes a sovereign, but more important, it's a story that looks at the forces of greed, fatherhood and family in general, solitude, keeping promises, inclusion and banishment. Note: while the introduction mentions a bit about Anubis, the Egyptian god, this story does not go in-depth of that deity but rather anubis, plural of anubi, which means a fatherless child.
If you enjoy al-Koni's works, you'll love this. If you love fable-like, reflective stories where the entire world has a soul and which makes sharp commentary on social issues, you'll love this too. Highly, highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Slavery, Excrement, and Vomit