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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sometimes hindsight is not 20/20.
I finally got around to reading this book after it had been on my shelf for a few years. I’m not sure why I put it off. It’s one of the most unique books I’ve read in a while. Told from the point of view of a chi, a guardian spirit, this contemporary Odyssey-esque epic follows the successes and failures of a man, Chinonso. Born in Nigeria, destined to become a poultry farmer on the land his father owned, Chinonso makes a series of choices that follow his father’s death that bring him closer to and farther away from his life’s goals.
Chinonso wallows in misery following his father’s death until one day his uncle suggests he finds a wife. He adopts this as his mission in life, and finds himself immensely absorbed in nearly every woman he sees, wondering if they could be the love of his life. He has an intense interaction with a woman on a bridge, whom he believes to be about to commit suicide. After that encounter, his life changes to revolve around his pursuit of Ndali. He finds himself ill-equiped to meet the challenges of her demanding family, and ashamed at his stature in life like he never was before. In an attempt to win them over, he uproots his life and embarks on an adventure in the pursuit of education and ultimately love.
I found the style of storytelling unique in that Chinonso’s chi is making a case for his host. The entire story is seeking to unveil Chinonso’s character, and therefore Obioma draws attention to emotions very explicitly to point to intentions behind behaviors. The chi as a narrative tool can show the intention of other characters as well in a unique and relevant way, rather than the sometimes disjointed approach of revealing thoughts randomly on the page or utilizing dialogue in a way that would be unrealistic. Furthermore, the chi uses his abilities to draw out emotions from his host, giving the chi his own set of intentions and creating his own character within the story. The chi’s presence is fascinating, as the timeline of the story is held at will of the chi as narrator, and interjected with his own experiences separate from Chinonso’s.
I loved this book. It made me think, let me explore other’s emotions, and provided perspective from a vibrant and different culture than my own. Although the book is close to 500 pages long, the story kept me moving along much more easily and interested than did the Odyssey. It is well worth the read.
Chinonso wallows in misery following his father’s death until one day his uncle suggests he finds a wife. He adopts this as his mission in life, and finds himself immensely absorbed in nearly every woman he sees, wondering if they could be the love of his life. He has an intense interaction with a woman on a bridge, whom he believes to be about to commit suicide. After that encounter, his life changes to revolve around his pursuit of Ndali. He finds himself ill-equiped to meet the challenges of her demanding family, and ashamed at his stature in life like he never was before. In an attempt to win them over, he uproots his life and embarks on an adventure in the pursuit of education and ultimately love.
I found the style of storytelling unique in that Chinonso’s chi is making a case for his host. The entire story is seeking to unveil Chinonso’s character, and therefore Obioma draws attention to emotions very explicitly to point to intentions behind behaviors. The chi as a narrative tool can show the intention of other characters as well in a unique and relevant way, rather than the sometimes disjointed approach of revealing thoughts randomly on the page or utilizing dialogue in a way that would be unrealistic. Furthermore, the chi uses his abilities to draw out emotions from his host, giving the chi his own set of intentions and creating his own character within the story. The chi’s presence is fascinating, as the timeline of the story is held at will of the chi as narrator, and interjected with his own experiences separate from Chinonso’s.
I loved this book. It made me think, let me explore other’s emotions, and provided perspective from a vibrant and different culture than my own. Although the book is close to 500 pages long, the story kept me moving along much more easily and interested than did the Odyssey. It is well worth the read.
This is the tragic story of Chinonso and the woman he falls in love with after he saves her from throwing herself off a bridge
I was immediately drawn to this book as it is told from the perspective of Chinonso’s Chi and having little knowledge in Igbo Cosmology I wanted to learn more.
But I lost interest very quickly. From the moment Chinonso met the woman of his dreams he calls her Mommy and not in the cultural sense. That is where it lost me. I found it hard every time he talked to her like a child wanting her approval or attention always referring to her as Mommy. I felt sick at that thought and know if I met a man who only called me Mommy I would leave and never look back.
Chinonso consistently makes poor choices and through those decisions his Chi would justify his actions almost making it feel like what he had done was ok. I didn’t get on with this book and it skimmed through endless passages of the Chi’s narrative.
I was immediately drawn to this book as it is told from the perspective of Chinonso’s Chi and having little knowledge in Igbo Cosmology I wanted to learn more.
But I lost interest very quickly. From the moment Chinonso met the woman of his dreams he calls her Mommy and not in the cultural sense. That is where it lost me. I found it hard every time he talked to her like a child wanting her approval or attention always referring to her as Mommy. I felt sick at that thought and know if I met a man who only called me Mommy I would leave and never look back.
Chinonso consistently makes poor choices and through those decisions his Chi would justify his actions almost making it feel like what he had done was ok. I didn’t get on with this book and it skimmed through endless passages of the Chi’s narrative.
3.5/5
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For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
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The writing and story is very interesting and original. Being narrated by his Chi (guardian spirit) was a unique perspective. But parts of that got repetitive in my opinion. I loved the Nigerian setting. Overall I enjoyed the story and there is a lot beautiful language throughout. Reading this authors writing you need to brace yourself, it will be an emotional ride.
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Thanks to the publisher for sending it to me.
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For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
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The writing and story is very interesting and original. Being narrated by his Chi (guardian spirit) was a unique perspective. But parts of that got repetitive in my opinion. I loved the Nigerian setting. Overall I enjoyed the story and there is a lot beautiful language throughout. Reading this authors writing you need to brace yourself, it will be an emotional ride.
•
Thanks to the publisher for sending it to me.
the only thing i liked was the narration technique and the igbo cosmology included.
however, i felt that the author was trying to convey a very problematic message and justify the protagonist's psychotic, obsessed and almost violent behavior towards his past lover. someone you abandoned years ago, NO MATTER WHY AND NOW, has no obligation to keep waiting for you and not move on and build their own new life. but the protagonist just acted selfish and wanted her for himself.
i strongly discourage you from reading this. if you do so, please read critically.
however, i felt that the author was trying to convey a very problematic message and justify the protagonist's psychotic, obsessed and almost violent behavior towards his past lover. someone you abandoned years ago, NO MATTER WHY AND NOW, has no obligation to keep waiting for you and not move on and build their own new life. but the protagonist just acted selfish and wanted her for himself.
i strongly discourage you from reading this. if you do so, please read critically.
I finished An Orchestra of Minorities a few days ago and it's taken me that long to decide how I feel about it. The main character, Chinonso, is a Nigerian poultry farmer who declares that he will do anything to be able to marry the woman he loves. The book takes the reader along on his journey to fulfill this and overall, it's about the sacrifices we're willing to make for love.
The author incorporated a lot of Igbo cosmology/mythology and some untranslated Igbo language. I thought that the inclusion of the language and folklore, and the choice to have the chi (the "guardian spirit") narrate the story were the most unique and brilliant aspects of the book.
Chinonso goes through some hard times and it's strikingly painful to read. I was completely invested and engulfed in this story. It was definitely the heart-wrenching story the synopsis claimed it would be, but the pacing doesn't do it any favors. The book drags and dwells in unnecessary places and details but either skips or rushes through parts that would've been more interesting to know and follow. Some of the most pivotal, dramatic parts of the story felt more like a "well, by the way, this happened" while the reader gets half a chapter of the chi's musings that we didn't need. We’re not exactly dealt with consistently beautiful writing either—it’s pretty clunky and rudimentary at times, emotional and confident at others.
I've never read a book quite like this before and honestly, my appreciation for this book is mostly due to the uncommon way it was written and narrated. It's an odd, riveting, haunting story. My heart was racing at the end.
*This review is based on a free digital advanced copy provided by the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.
Let's connect: Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
The author incorporated a lot of Igbo cosmology/mythology and some untranslated Igbo language. I thought that the inclusion of the language and folklore, and the choice to have the chi (the "guardian spirit") narrate the story were the most unique and brilliant aspects of the book.
Chinonso goes through some hard times and it's strikingly painful to read. I was completely invested and engulfed in this story. It was definitely the heart-wrenching story the synopsis claimed it would be, but the pacing doesn't do it any favors. The book drags and dwells in unnecessary places and details but either skips or rushes through parts that would've been more interesting to know and follow. Some of the most pivotal, dramatic parts of the story felt more like a "well, by the way, this happened" while the reader gets half a chapter of the chi's musings that we didn't need. We’re not exactly dealt with consistently beautiful writing either—it’s pretty clunky and rudimentary at times, emotional and confident at others.
I've never read a book quite like this before and honestly, my appreciation for this book is mostly due to the uncommon way it was written and narrated. It's an odd, riveting, haunting story. My heart was racing at the end.
*This review is based on a free digital advanced copy provided by the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.
Let's connect: Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
I honestly can't fathom how this made the shortlist for the Booker Prize. I was going to make a longer more detailed review but after 500 something pages of waffling, I honestly can't be bothered. Don't get me wrong the concept of the novel is interesting. The chi (spirit) of a man recounts to the gods his life story which is wrought with misfortunes.
But the protagonist is so absolutely unlikeable that it took me a month to finish this book. If this person existed in real life I would highly suggest he be kept away from women. The rampant misogyny combined with all the horrible life choices he makes despite his chi and other people advising him not to baffled me.
In the beginning, I liked the cultural references and anecdotes. It gave an informative insight into certain African cultures as well as the racism faced by Africans in foreign countries. But after the 400th 'I've seen this many times' said by the chi yet nothing significant happening from it and the excessive waffling I had had enough.
But the protagonist is so absolutely unlikeable that it took me a month to finish this book. If this person existed in real life I would highly suggest he be kept away from women. The rampant misogyny combined with all the horrible life choices he makes despite his chi and other people advising him not to baffled me.
In the beginning, I liked the cultural references and anecdotes. It gave an informative insight into certain African cultures as well as the racism faced by Africans in foreign countries. But after the 400th 'I've seen this many times' said by the chi yet nothing significant happening from it and the excessive waffling I had had enough.
Wow, I'm not sure if I read this book or if I got hit by a train.
dark
emotional
sad
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this story and was very invested in Chinonso and how his life would turn out. The story is told from the perspective of his Chi, which is his guardian spirit. I felt that while this was an interesting concept and at times appreciated the outside perspective, but ultimately it did not work for me because too much time was spent imploring to their deities and re-explaining his purpose over and over. While that made it difficult to read at times, I was still happy overall with the story so my recommendation would be to read only a few chapters a day in order to stay interested.
I really enjoyed this story and was very invested in Chinonso and how his life would turn out. The story is told from the perspective of his Chi, which is his guardian spirit. I felt that while this was an interesting concept and at times appreciated the outside perspective, but ultimately it did not work for me because too much time was spent imploring to their deities and re-explaining his purpose over and over. While that made it difficult to read at times, I was still happy overall with the story so my recommendation would be to read only a few chapters a day in order to stay interested.