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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Trench warfare on the Western Front of World War I has gotta be like, at least in the top 5 worst experiences in all of human history. But I think this is the first fictional account I've read that really nailed just how fucking bleak it could be by looking at it directly rather than shunting it to the background or a flashback.
Strangely enough, this book strongly reminded me of [b:Fever Dream|30763882|Fever Dream|Samanta Schweblin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1471279721l/30763882._SX50_.jpg|42701168], in that it's a brief look at a character's descent into madness. A Senegalese soldier who's drafted up by France to fight the Germans watches his best friend die and Does Not Handle It Well™. His white French commanding officers just want the Africans to act savage and scare the opposing Germans, and our protagonist is all too willing to play the part. Problem is, his own side starts becoming afraid of him as well. Very much a, "we asked you to give an 8 or a 9 on the crazy scale, and you're giving us a 20" kind of situation.
There's a series of vignettes of trench life and life before the war, but the book has a very loose flow and structure, and I didn't really know what to expect at any point as past and present blended together with increasing frequency. But that very well could have been intentional, as our protagonist starts to lose his own sense of identity towards the end.
Definitely a unique perspective for a historical period I thought I'd already seen from every angle. And in retrospect, there really wasn't any supernatural aspect at all like I expected going into it, which actually heightens the depravity of it all. Maybe give this one a go when you're already in a good state of mind and not when you're looking for a feel-good/pick-me-up kind of story.
Strangely enough, this book strongly reminded me of [b:Fever Dream|30763882|Fever Dream|Samanta Schweblin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1471279721l/30763882._SX50_.jpg|42701168], in that it's a brief look at a character's descent into madness. A Senegalese soldier who's drafted up by France to fight the Germans watches his best friend die and Does Not Handle It Well™. His white French commanding officers just want the Africans to act savage and scare the opposing Germans, and our protagonist is all too willing to play the part. Problem is, his own side starts becoming afraid of him as well. Very much a, "we asked you to give an 8 or a 9 on the crazy scale, and you're giving us a 20" kind of situation.
There's a series of vignettes of trench life and life before the war, but the book has a very loose flow and structure, and I didn't really know what to expect at any point as past and present blended together with increasing frequency. But that very well could have been intentional, as our protagonist starts to lose his own sense of identity towards the end.
Definitely a unique perspective for a historical period I thought I'd already seen from every angle. And in retrospect, there really wasn't any supernatural aspect at all like I expected going into it, which actually heightens the depravity of it all. Maybe give this one a go when you're already in a good state of mind and not when you're looking for a feel-good/pick-me-up kind of story.
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
This is the book for me where the pages turned themselves. Before this book it would take me weeks to read a 150 page book. I read this in two dats max. Exprimental, but still a fundamentally solid novel about a mans descent into madness because of war. The downward spiral is intriguing to follow
David Diop ha ganado el premio Booker con esta entrega y es fácil ver por qué.
La historia te atrapa con un protagonista que, aunque entendemos que sus actos son indebidos, tienen como trasfondo la motivación y la necesidad de encajar en la milicia Francesa durante la Segunda Guerra, como un militar de color. Nos habla, no solo del aislamiento, pero la pérdida de la moral en favor del sentir de pertenencia; y como un sólo evento puede quebrar al ser humano.
Durante toda la lectura, te encuentras pidiendo que Alfa Ndiaye de vuelta a sus acciones, que recapacite antes de perder completamente su humanidad.
La historia te atrapa con un protagonista que, aunque entendemos que sus actos son indebidos, tienen como trasfondo la motivación y la necesidad de encajar en la milicia Francesa durante la Segunda Guerra, como un militar de color. Nos habla, no solo del aislamiento, pero la pérdida de la moral en favor del sentir de pertenencia; y como un sólo evento puede quebrar al ser humano.
Durante toda la lectura, te encuentras pidiendo que Alfa Ndiaye de vuelta a sus acciones, que recapacite antes de perder completamente su humanidad.
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, War
Moderate: Racism
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
dark
reflective
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