Reviews

Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan

lsparrow's review

4.0

intense short stories all told from the eyes of three children.
powerful and not for the faint of heart.

karlak709's review

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

4.0

This is a hard book to review because it doesn't feel right to 'like' it or say that anything about the content of the stories are 'good'. The stories vary, some long, some short, some easier to read, some difficult with the slang and dialect, which is expected when retelling people's experiences. But they are all heartbreaking in their own way. If you're looking for feel good read,  this isn't it but if you're looking for a reminder as to how deeply some people suffer and struggle, this will do it.

shirleytupperfreeman's review

Ouch. These are painful to read. Written by an priest from Nigeria, these stories are told from the point of view of children -- in untenable situations. The settings are various countries in Africa and the situations are living on the streets, child trafficking, religious conflict, genocide. They're well written, and important, but very difficult.

mschrock8's review against another edition

Listening length 11 hr 10 min

schwertfeger49's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

areidbarnes's review against another edition

4.0

This collection of short stories has been quite the privilege checker for me. All these stories are told from the perspective of children in Africa and recounts the hardships they've endured. It's extremely difficult to read because the truth is so real, as we've all heard horror stories similar. But by giving the children name and agency, you can no longer run from the issue at hand.

Some stories were better than others, as is the case with most short story collections, but accounts for the missing star.

lisawhelpley's review

1.0

I just did not get into these stories.

thukpa's review against another edition

3.0

I understand the purpose of the author to show the reality of children's lives in Africa, but I found myself hoping for a "happy ending" to each story, and none were. So if you want a feel good book, this is not it. Definitely a worthwhile and important book, but you won't walk away feeling good. (If you want that, try "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by William Kamkwambe and Bryan Mealer. Non-fiction, and harrowing, but also hopeful and dealing with the lives of African children.)

mipa_jt's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated

angie_reading's review

The first and the last stories are excellent--tragic and haunting. The longer novellas are not nearly as powerful (or well written). Akpan's voice is new and he writes about Africa in a nuanced and compelling way; I look forward to reading more from him.