Reviews

At Night All Blood is Black by David Diop

celsa's review against another edition

3.0

*2.5*

nicoleplec's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jujubahn's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-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

3.25

minnie_pearl's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

4.0

endlesswonder's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

dvargas's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

steka's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lucillemm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Poetic, dark, unapologetic. Diop’s writing style is repetitive but it adds to the torture that Alfa is experiencing and helps the reader to experience Alfa’s grief. This book gives a glimpse into Senegalese men fighting for the French in WWI and the dehumanising effects of war on young men ripped from their homes in the prime of their lives. I would recommend reading this book in one sitting so you can really settle into the feelings the author is evoking in the reader.

tillybh's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

4.0

rammy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book was disturbing in so many ways, and at times felt outright unpleasant to read - David Diop has a deeply fascinating way of writing and storytelling. This book challenged me, upset me, and disgusted me. Definitely NOT a relaxing read, but a very interesting and well-written one.
The book is very graphic with detailed descriptions, and the amount of them could sometimes feel a bit unneccessary.