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rvandenboomgaard's review against another edition
3.0
Fourth book I read for a course on 'Narrative, Fiction and Voice'.
Edit 17-11-2021: Bumped the rating up from 2 to 3 stars after having discussed this novel during class. I still think the diversity of topics ensures the failure of bringing across a solid point, any solid point, I still feel the plot structure to be completely incoherent and unbelievable and I still believe it to be implicitly moralising to the border of explicitness, but it is not as flat as I initially considered it to be.
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Oh, how I long for the day when we can perceive people as people again, rather than coloured and gendered subjects. It's so dehumanising.
Well, if anybody - 50 years from now - wants to have a flat overview of all of the societal problems of our day and time, they need look no further than 'Happiness'. Even though they will not need literature for that; most of us will either be long gone below sea level by that time, or have access to well-structured online databases of news outlets and Wikipedia pages. In ages past, this was different - literature was, possibly, the only place to voice concerns of this scale, as official censorship was still in sway. The literary author could subvert the official communication channels and media through the subtleties that artistic writing is prone to.
Of this subtlety I have experienced nigh nothing in 'Happiness'. I'd say that literature, both back then, and now, does not serve to implicitly inform the reader of problems of various natures, but, rather, to evoke the reader's empathy by crafting a narrative that invites the reader into the position or perspective of those experiencing the problem(s). I feel 'Happiness' fails at this - horribly.
First of all, like I said, the sheer amount of problems addressed in this novel is difficult, if not impossible, to maintain. As a result, the potential power of empathy, sympathy, is severely watered down. It includes so many of the 'mainstream' societal problems, that I'm more inclined to consider what is not discussed in 'Happiness', than what is. For instance, despite the incessant mentioning of the characters' skin colours, I see no (mentionable) mention of anything regarding the queer community. Additionally, notwithstanding the clear advocation for animal rights, there is not much concern for the broader environment. In a novel that discusses gender relations, the position of people of colour, animal rights, the shortage on healthcare with a focus on the mental health crisis, and many other topics, those two are, to me, striking omissions.
What's more, I experienced no flow in the reading experience. There were even plenty of typos that were not edited out. The story did not make sense. I just think it was simply not written well. Maybe if put in film it can be portrayed better, but now it just didn't work. Both this, and the amount of societal topics covered, evoke in me the image of a writer drawing up a list of societal problems that are already well-known and broadly discussed, choosing some 'favourites' that provide the general lines of the story, and then thinking up elaborate ways of making the 'non-favourites' weave into those general storylines by assigning those to separate chapters. The result is not a melting pot from which the careful blend of ingredients emanate aromas that one savours, or that at least titillate one, but a colourless, odourless, slightly revolting mash.
Ultimately, I feel I have - once again - been fed the Western, or probably more aptly put Westernised, perspective on those people and situations that are not considered Western. I don't need that, none of us need that, that narrative, perspective, is more than well known by now. Please, do help me step into the minds of those considered not Western, or Westernised. Create the empathy for those people by making us enter the minds of those people - that is where the value of contemporaneous socially activist literature lays. To me, this is just a (hardly) novelised reiteration of the perspectives we all know already, and does not even really accord to the actual perspective of the people(s) discussed.
The only redeeming qualities to me were the sparse bits and pieces of timeless wisdom, the slightly positively provoking speech of chapter 23 and the relatively neutral voice taken throughout the story.
Feels like a simplified 'Mrs Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf.
Edit 17-11-2021: Bumped the rating up from 2 to 3 stars after having discussed this novel during class. I still think the diversity of topics ensures the failure of bringing across a solid point, any solid point, I still feel the plot structure to be completely incoherent and unbelievable and I still believe it to be implicitly moralising to the border of explicitness, but it is not as flat as I initially considered it to be.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oh, how I long for the day when we can perceive people as people again, rather than coloured and gendered subjects. It's so dehumanising.
Well, if anybody - 50 years from now - wants to have a flat overview of all of the societal problems of our day and time, they need look no further than 'Happiness'. Even though they will not need literature for that; most of us will either be long gone below sea level by that time, or have access to well-structured online databases of news outlets and Wikipedia pages. In ages past, this was different - literature was, possibly, the only place to voice concerns of this scale, as official censorship was still in sway. The literary author could subvert the official communication channels and media through the subtleties that artistic writing is prone to.
Of this subtlety I have experienced nigh nothing in 'Happiness'. I'd say that literature, both back then, and now, does not serve to implicitly inform the reader of problems of various natures, but, rather, to evoke the reader's empathy by crafting a narrative that invites the reader into the position or perspective of those experiencing the problem(s). I feel 'Happiness' fails at this - horribly.
First of all, like I said, the sheer amount of problems addressed in this novel is difficult, if not impossible, to maintain. As a result, the potential power of empathy, sympathy, is severely watered down. It includes so many of the 'mainstream' societal problems, that I'm more inclined to consider what is not discussed in 'Happiness', than what is. For instance, despite the incessant mentioning of the characters' skin colours, I see no (mentionable) mention of anything regarding the queer community. Additionally, notwithstanding the clear advocation for animal rights, there is not much concern for the broader environment. In a novel that discusses gender relations, the position of people of colour, animal rights, the shortage on healthcare with a focus on the mental health crisis, and many other topics, those two are, to me, striking omissions.
What's more, I experienced no flow in the reading experience. There were even plenty of typos that were not edited out. The story did not make sense. I just think it was simply not written well. Maybe if put in film it can be portrayed better, but now it just didn't work. Both this, and the amount of societal topics covered, evoke in me the image of a writer drawing up a list of societal problems that are already well-known and broadly discussed, choosing some 'favourites' that provide the general lines of the story, and then thinking up elaborate ways of making the 'non-favourites' weave into those general storylines by assigning those to separate chapters. The result is not a melting pot from which the careful blend of ingredients emanate aromas that one savours, or that at least titillate one, but a colourless, odourless, slightly revolting mash.
Ultimately, I feel I have - once again - been fed the Western, or probably more aptly put Westernised, perspective on those people and situations that are not considered Western. I don't need that, none of us need that, that narrative, perspective, is more than well known by now. Please, do help me step into the minds of those considered not Western, or Westernised. Create the empathy for those people by making us enter the minds of those people - that is where the value of contemporaneous socially activist literature lays. To me, this is just a (hardly) novelised reiteration of the perspectives we all know already, and does not even really accord to the actual perspective of the people(s) discussed.
The only redeeming qualities to me were the sparse bits and pieces of timeless wisdom, the slightly positively provoking speech of chapter 23 and the relatively neutral voice taken throughout the story.
Feels like a simplified 'Mrs Dalloway' by Virginia Woolf.
wildc's review against another edition
4.0
First class writing, unusual plot, interesting multi-dimensional characters. What’s not to like? I listened to the audio version and found it completely engrossing. The author completely avoids trite scenarios and hackneyed devices. I am really impressed. And a bit surprised that it’s average rating is less than 4 stars.
jdugmen's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I've ever read. I loved the writing, the characters, the information I learned, the settings and basically everything about it!
uglycovers's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lizzieh96's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of those novels where I feel like the ideas outweigh the plot. And while the concepts and ideas were super compelling, and the narrative definitely framed those ideas, it was hard to find the story compelling for me.
jentidders's review against another edition
3.0
Jean, an American biologist studying urban foxes in London, bumps into Attila, a Ghanian professor who is visiting to deliver a keynote conference speech on PTSD. Together they hunt for his missing nephew and are aided by a network of kindly immigrants working in the city. This is a beautifully written tale of love, loss, grief, trauma, migration, nature, society, cruelty and kindness. I really loved the way Forna underlines the way we are all interconnected and trying to coexist, humans and animals alike, and what constitutes the nature of true happiness. One of my favourite reads of the year so far.
lynnedf's review against another edition
4.0
I will totally admit that I started this book and wondered "what am I reading?"
I didn't understand the first chapter about the wolves ... I couldn't understand the connection once I was introduced to Attila or to Jean. But I continued to read and was able to connect some dots; the thing I realized was that I really liked the characters - I liked where their stories were going, and I thought it was so well written I didn't want to put it down.
Honestly, I can't say that "the STORY" is the best one I have read. However, I can say that Attila's storyline was lovely to follow and Jean's storyline was also equally wonderful to follow - and when they connected it all made sense, but the book could have been all about Attila or all about Jean and I would have enjoyed it as well. Does that make sense?
The beauty in this book is how well developed their individual stories are - Aminatta Forna was able to create such vivid lives for each character, as well as each supporting character. She was able to bring the past and the present together in such a seamless way.
This is a book that speaks to a reader who loves to explore characters, who doesn't need high tension plots or twists and turns. This is a book for someone who likes to observe people and see what happens. I don't think it's going to get the hype it deserves, but I do think if someone takes the time to sit down and just read - you won't regret it.
Recommended read and thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy of this book in return for my honest review.
I didn't understand the first chapter about the wolves ... I couldn't understand the connection once I was introduced to Attila or to Jean. But I continued to read and was able to connect some dots; the thing I realized was that I really liked the characters - I liked where their stories were going, and I thought it was so well written I didn't want to put it down.
Honestly, I can't say that "the STORY" is the best one I have read. However, I can say that Attila's storyline was lovely to follow and Jean's storyline was also equally wonderful to follow - and when they connected it all made sense, but the book could have been all about Attila or all about Jean and I would have enjoyed it as well. Does that make sense?
The beauty in this book is how well developed their individual stories are - Aminatta Forna was able to create such vivid lives for each character, as well as each supporting character. She was able to bring the past and the present together in such a seamless way.
This is a book that speaks to a reader who loves to explore characters, who doesn't need high tension plots or twists and turns. This is a book for someone who likes to observe people and see what happens. I don't think it's going to get the hype it deserves, but I do think if someone takes the time to sit down and just read - you won't regret it.
Recommended read and thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy of this book in return for my honest review.
acadia1999's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the most beautiful books I’ve read in a long time. Aminatta Forna’s discussions of resilience, resistance, and belonging are nuanced and hopeful, and the degree of interconnectedness between worlds is so well crafted. I recommend this book to everyone.
emmap2023's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to this on audio book which was narrated very well and was enjoyable to listen to. The plot of this story starts with some stunning narrative of the natural world and has some simply beautiful human interactions, the development however steady was powerful in its storytelling but sadly lead to a disappointing ending for me.....