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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
some of the linguistic and stylistic choices did get on my nerves a little bit around the halfway mark. i understand it’s an intentional characterisation choice but i’m glad this was so short. ghoulish and gruesome but still space for brotherhood and love. interesting dichotomy
dark
sad
fast-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The episodic story telling mixed
with rumination on the effects of war, colonization, and the death of loved ones on the human psyche presents a story that has really intense moments that shine with humanity. took a star off because the repeating words were repeated a little too much.
with rumination on the effects of war, colonization, and the death of loved ones on the human psyche presents a story that has really intense moments that shine with humanity. took a star off because the repeating words were repeated a little too much.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An extra-ordinary book on the effects of war on the character involved. Not a viewpoint we usually see, the book is full of rage and yet pervaded by sadness throughout…
Not to be forgotten by those of us who have never been put in such a position.
Not to be forgotten by those of us who have never been put in such a position.
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
I love the way the author tells his story but the repetition of words almost made me DNF this, but I'm glad I didn't because the ending was good.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
First favourite of the year! Finally!
CW: death of a loved one, PTSD, racism, gore, rape, amputation, torture
“Yes, I understood, God’s truth, that on the battlefield they wanted only fleeting madness. Madmen of rage, madmen of pain, furious madmen, but temporary ones. No continuous madmen. As soon as the fighting ends, we’re to file away our rage, our pain, and our fury. Pain is tolerated, we can bring our pain home on the condition that we keep it to ourselves.”
At Night All Blood Is Black is a feverish exploration of the traumas of war, how they change us, how they destroy us. Alfa and Mademba are the closest friends, inseparable - until the First World War kills Mademba on the battlefield and leaves Alfa behind, broken forever.
This novel starts with Mademba's death and then follows Alfa as he slowly spirals in the attempt to avenge him. The plot is interwoven with memories of their youth in Senegal and philosophical ruminations on war, colonialism, what makes one human, and life in general.
“...I had been inhuman by obeying duty's voice. But I was now free to listen no longer, to no longer obey the voices that command us not to be human when we must.”
I flew through this book. The moment I picked it up I couldn't put it down. Aside from when I had to in favor of just sitting there, staring at the wall and letting this novel sink it. Because as short as this it is, it is also intense. Every word is intentional magic, poetic and passionate, and vulnerable. Be warned that the story also derails quite a lot towards the end, but the final turn had me on the floor in tears. This was heartbreaking and gorgeous. A new favourite.
CW: death of a loved one, PTSD, racism, gore, rape, amputation, torture
“Yes, I understood, God’s truth, that on the battlefield they wanted only fleeting madness. Madmen of rage, madmen of pain, furious madmen, but temporary ones. No continuous madmen. As soon as the fighting ends, we’re to file away our rage, our pain, and our fury. Pain is tolerated, we can bring our pain home on the condition that we keep it to ourselves.”
At Night All Blood Is Black is a feverish exploration of the traumas of war, how they change us, how they destroy us. Alfa and Mademba are the closest friends, inseparable - until the First World War kills Mademba on the battlefield and leaves Alfa behind, broken forever.
This novel starts with Mademba's death and then follows Alfa as he slowly spirals in the attempt to avenge him. The plot is interwoven with memories of their youth in Senegal and philosophical ruminations on war, colonialism, what makes one human, and life in general.
“...I had been inhuman by obeying duty's voice. But I was now free to listen no longer, to no longer obey the voices that command us not to be human when we must.”
I flew through this book. The moment I picked it up I couldn't put it down. Aside from when I had to in favor of just sitting there, staring at the wall and letting this novel sink it. Because as short as this it is, it is also intense. Every word is intentional magic, poetic and passionate, and vulnerable. Be warned that the story also derails quite a lot towards the end, but the final turn had me on the floor in tears. This was heartbreaking and gorgeous. A new favourite.