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3.3k reviews for:

Frère d'âme: roman

David Diop

3.82 AVERAGE

dark
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was a beautiful and poetical account of a young man's journey to madness. The end was a bit abrupt and disquietening but altogether, it was an interesting read. The narration left room for interpretation and left you wondering what the real reason is of Alfa's behaviour. Is he venging his friend, his so-called more-than-brother or is he in it for himself? I don't know if that was the author's intent but I liked that; looking up the actual meaning of the sentences I had just read. I doubt it was an easy ride translating this story with all its lyrical and specific wording yet Moschovakis managed to do a great job. I wanna be her fr.
dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

One of the more interesting retellings of Achilles and Patroclus.

A truly beautiful exploration of how unaddressed trauma effects your humanity, woven with themes of racism and masculinity.

trench warfare and racism sucks
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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
adventurous dark 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

Diop's novella strikes a chord with the reader immediately, with poetic prose and graphic imagery, one cannot help but be drawn into the harsh reality that Diop depicts. As Alfa descends into madness the reader is forced to consider the effects of colonisation and the trauma it has created. The savagery of the novel is both compelling and alarming, and I was left feeling both moved and saddened by Alfa's journey.

A worthy winner of the Booker Prize, this novella is a must read.
challenging dark reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
dark reflective sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated

I think its gonna need a re read