3.3k reviews for:

Fratelli d'anima

David Diop

3.82 AVERAGE

janebinks's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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What a powerful book with strong and beautiful language. Yes it is a bit grim and disturbing but that is not gratuitous, it is an essential part of the story. Alfa and his ‘more than brother’ Mademba are Senegalese fighting for the French in WW1. After Mademba’s death Alfa becomes a killing machine and eventually descends into madness. The awfulness of what you are reading is in contrast to the beauty of how it is expressed. Written in French and translated into English but ‘spoken’ in their language of Wolof. The language gives it a feeling of authenticity. Underlying theme of racism.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Violence, War

Moderate: Racism

hannahchase's review against another edition

4.75

reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

staceyy's review against another edition

3.75

dark reflective

superdupertired's review against another edition

3.5

challenging dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

clar_a's review against another edition

3.5

challenging dark tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

laraph's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

allisonortego's review against another edition

4.0

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Sounds cliche but this is a raw and harrowing read. Still thinking about it three books later.

ade_marie's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

danipooo's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional tense slow-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

_charlies_books's review against another edition

5.0

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Favorite book of the year so far. It was really really good. A lot of metaphors ( which I enjoy) and overall a very interesting topic