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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
I think this might be a book that needs to be discussed instead of read on their own, like I did. I genuinely liked the book, but I felt there was so much more to it than the things actually told and represented. There was so much left unsaid, so much more in the blanks to discover that some of it seemed lost to me.
Didn't work for me. Some of the things that I didn't like: at other times the narrator sounded much too Western ("Everything was topsy-turvy"?) and more grown-up than she was supposed to be. There was a lot of adult understanding and profoundness in how she experienced trauma in the beginning and that just rang false. I did not like the way the stories of multiple people were relayed - just breaking into the general narrative as if other people were sharing with Maryam. I found it a bit forced. The military commander telling her his own story and their whole interaction was unrealistic. Her "relationship" with Mahmoud was rushed and his motivations were poorly developed. We are supposed to believe he gave her money when dying because he has developed feelings for her, but O'Brien doesn't take her time to develop this at all. She also constantly changes from present tense to past tense in the same scene, which did not work. The whole book felt very rushed as a whole.
I am also conflicted about O'Brien's motives. Why treat this as if there are no other accounts about the kidnappings? There are other accounts of this. By Nigerians. As in [b:Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree|36099188|Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree|Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518818508l/36099188._SY75_.jpg|57683326]. As in [b:A Gift From Darkness: How I Escaped with My Daughter from Boko Haram|35384186|A Gift From Darkness How I Escaped with My Daughter from Boko Haram|Andrea C. Hoffmann|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1513022916l/35384186._SY75_.jpg|56745464]
I am also conflicted about O'Brien's motives. Why treat this as if there are no other accounts about the kidnappings? There are other accounts of this. By Nigerians. As in [b:Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree|36099188|Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree|Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518818508l/36099188._SY75_.jpg|57683326]. As in [b:A Gift From Darkness: How I Escaped with My Daughter from Boko Haram|35384186|A Gift From Darkness How I Escaped with My Daughter from Boko Haram|Andrea C. Hoffmann|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1513022916l/35384186._SY75_.jpg|56745464]
I rarely feel this way, but this book could have used another 200 pages.
Read this in one day because it was that faced paced. I felt it was rather disjointed and that each chapter came accross as it’s own flashback, rather than a flowing story. The events were shocking! And it’s sad to see the suffering that some women / girls go through
3.5
Interesting subject matter but in places I wanted more.
Interesting subject matter but in places I wanted more.
Gerade noch ist die Welt der Schulmädchen in Ordnung, doch von einer Sekunde auf die nächste ist nichts mehr so wie es war. Die Milizionäre von Boko Haram überfallen sie und bringen die Schülerinnen in ein Camp im Dschungel. Dort erwarten sie Misshandlungen, Vergewaltigungen, Beschimpfungen und Verachtung. Sie sollen bekehrt werden, konvertieren zum rechten Glauben und Kindersoldaten produzieren für den Kampf der Gotteskrieger. Maryam und Buki sind zwei von ihnen, die die Qualen erdulden müssen, innerlich sterben, um das, was man ihnen äußerlich antut, aushalten zu können. Gemeinsam gelingt ihnen die Flucht und mit Maryams Tochter Babby begeben sie sich auf den langen und beschwerlichen Weg nach Hause. Die Mädchen sind nicht mehr, wer sie waren und auch die Überlebenden ihrer Dörfer sehen sie nicht mehr als die Töchter, die ihnen einst gestohlen wurden.
Edna O’Brien verarbeitet in ihrem Roman das Schicksal der 276 Chibok Mädchen, die im April 2014 von Boko Haram entführt wurden, was weltweit für Aufsehen gesorgt hatte. Sie schildert unverblümt das, was sie in der Gefangenschaft erleben, was sowohl die physischen Misshandlungen aber auch die psychologischen Indoktrinationen mit ihnen tun. Viele der Mädchen bleiben namenlos, beispielhaft für das Schicksal vieler folgt die Erzählung Maryam, die trotz aller Widrigkeiten einen Weg findet, die Situation auszuhalten, weiterzukämpfen und nicht aufzugeben, sondern auf den Morgen und einen besseren Tag zu hoffen.
„Es liegt nicht in unserer Macht, etwas zu ändern“, sagte sie (...).
„Warum nicht?“, fragte ich.
„Weil wir Frauen sind.“
Gerade wurde global der Weltfrauentag gefeiert, die Lebenswelt der nigerianischen Mädchen und Frauen ist weit davon entfernt, ihnen Rechte oder gar Gleichberechtigung einzuräumen. Die Grausamkeiten, die Maryam in Gefangenschaft erleidet, sind nur ein Teil der Erzählung. Nach ihrer beschwerlichen und gefährlichen Rückkehr muss sie erleben, dass sie auch in ihrem Heimatort, ja sogar in ihrer eigenen Familie nicht mehr wirklich willkommen ist. Man nimmt ihr ihr Kind weg, das das Blut des Teufels in sich trägt und macht Maryam selbst mitverantwortlich für das, was man ihr angetan hat. Die Umkehr des Opfers zum Täter ist fast noch perfider als die Gräueltaten der Entführer.
Bisweilen könnte man beim Lesen den Glauben an die Menschheit verlieren, so wie eine der Figuren resigniert feststellt, dass die menschliche Natur teuflisch geworden sei und die Welt nicht mehr die sei, die es mal gab. Aber Edna O’Brien liefert auch die Gegenbeispiele, Buki, die Maryam bei der Flucht nach Kräften unterstützt, der Hirtenstamm, der sie temporär aufnimmt und beschützt und letztlich die Nonnen, die sie und ihr Kind so annehmen, wie sie sind. Maryam fühl sich bisweilen innerlich tot, von jedem Lebenswillen verlassen und doch bleibt am Ende Hoffnung, dass sich alles zum Guten wenden kann. Auch wenn Maryams Mutter nicht an die Macht der Frauen glaubt, ist es aber vielleicht die nächste Generation, die vor dem Hintergrund ihrer eigenen und auch der kollektiven Erfahrungen die Welt zu einem besseren Ort verändern wird können.
Edna O’Brien verarbeitet in ihrem Roman das Schicksal der 276 Chibok Mädchen, die im April 2014 von Boko Haram entführt wurden, was weltweit für Aufsehen gesorgt hatte. Sie schildert unverblümt das, was sie in der Gefangenschaft erleben, was sowohl die physischen Misshandlungen aber auch die psychologischen Indoktrinationen mit ihnen tun. Viele der Mädchen bleiben namenlos, beispielhaft für das Schicksal vieler folgt die Erzählung Maryam, die trotz aller Widrigkeiten einen Weg findet, die Situation auszuhalten, weiterzukämpfen und nicht aufzugeben, sondern auf den Morgen und einen besseren Tag zu hoffen.
„Es liegt nicht in unserer Macht, etwas zu ändern“, sagte sie (...).
„Warum nicht?“, fragte ich.
„Weil wir Frauen sind.“
Gerade wurde global der Weltfrauentag gefeiert, die Lebenswelt der nigerianischen Mädchen und Frauen ist weit davon entfernt, ihnen Rechte oder gar Gleichberechtigung einzuräumen. Die Grausamkeiten, die Maryam in Gefangenschaft erleidet, sind nur ein Teil der Erzählung. Nach ihrer beschwerlichen und gefährlichen Rückkehr muss sie erleben, dass sie auch in ihrem Heimatort, ja sogar in ihrer eigenen Familie nicht mehr wirklich willkommen ist. Man nimmt ihr ihr Kind weg, das das Blut des Teufels in sich trägt und macht Maryam selbst mitverantwortlich für das, was man ihr angetan hat. Die Umkehr des Opfers zum Täter ist fast noch perfider als die Gräueltaten der Entführer.
Bisweilen könnte man beim Lesen den Glauben an die Menschheit verlieren, so wie eine der Figuren resigniert feststellt, dass die menschliche Natur teuflisch geworden sei und die Welt nicht mehr die sei, die es mal gab. Aber Edna O’Brien liefert auch die Gegenbeispiele, Buki, die Maryam bei der Flucht nach Kräften unterstützt, der Hirtenstamm, der sie temporär aufnimmt und beschützt und letztlich die Nonnen, die sie und ihr Kind so annehmen, wie sie sind. Maryam fühl sich bisweilen innerlich tot, von jedem Lebenswillen verlassen und doch bleibt am Ende Hoffnung, dass sich alles zum Guten wenden kann. Auch wenn Maryams Mutter nicht an die Macht der Frauen glaubt, ist es aber vielleicht die nächste Generation, die vor dem Hintergrund ihrer eigenen und auch der kollektiven Erfahrungen die Welt zu einem besseren Ort verändern wird können.
A brutal and yet beautiful tale of one young woman captured by Boko Haram; and while it examines the horrors of that event, what is surprising is how cruel life after captivity can be. O'Brien has claimed this is her final novel. What a high note to go out on - I didn't think she could top The Little Red Chairs at this late stage of her career, but she has done it.
I was a girl once, but not anymore.
In April 2014, 276 mostly Christian female students were abducted from the Chibok School in Borno, Nigeria. Responsibility was claimed by Boko Haram, an Islamist extremist terrorist organisation based in North-Eastern Nigeria. GIRL is a fictional story created from the real life stories of the many girls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram.
Girl, is told through the eyes of a survivor, Maryam. The story begins with the kidnapping of her and her peers and her arrival at the compound where she is kept as a slave. It then follows her as she is forced into a marriage that she does not want and her entry into motherhood. After a couple of years, Myram and her daughter, manages to escape the compound into the forest. The story then follows Myram as she tries to survive in the forest and find a way to escape until she is rescued. The second half of the book explores the aftermath of Maryam’s kidnapping and the difficulties of returning to mainstream society.
Girl was a very hard and heart-breaking read. It is by no means an easy read, yet it was so emotionally captivating and the writing was brilliant.
There are some criticisms of this book, mainly that O’Brien, a white Irish woman, should not have authored this book. Whilst I enjoyed this book I also had mixed feelings about this. However, it is clear that this book is well-researched and O’Brien made multiple visits to Nigeria to talk to the girls in the aftermath of the abduction. O’Brien was compelled to tell this story not for the sake of showing off that talent, but for the sake of too-often voiceless women.I also think it is incredibly important that this story is told. Many of the girls are still suffering. Many of the girls are still missing. Many of the girls are presumed dead.
TW: rape, abuse, murder, torture etc.
In April 2014, 276 mostly Christian female students were abducted from the Chibok School in Borno, Nigeria. Responsibility was claimed by Boko Haram, an Islamist extremist terrorist organisation based in North-Eastern Nigeria. GIRL is a fictional story created from the real life stories of the many girls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram.
Girl, is told through the eyes of a survivor, Maryam. The story begins with the kidnapping of her and her peers and her arrival at the compound where she is kept as a slave. It then follows her as she is forced into a marriage that she does not want and her entry into motherhood. After a couple of years, Myram and her daughter, manages to escape the compound into the forest. The story then follows Myram as she tries to survive in the forest and find a way to escape until she is rescued. The second half of the book explores the aftermath of Maryam’s kidnapping and the difficulties of returning to mainstream society.
Girl was a very hard and heart-breaking read. It is by no means an easy read, yet it was so emotionally captivating and the writing was brilliant.
There are some criticisms of this book, mainly that O’Brien, a white Irish woman, should not have authored this book. Whilst I enjoyed this book I also had mixed feelings about this. However, it is clear that this book is well-researched and O’Brien made multiple visits to Nigeria to talk to the girls in the aftermath of the abduction. O’Brien was compelled to tell this story not for the sake of showing off that talent, but for the sake of too-often voiceless women.I also think it is incredibly important that this story is told. Many of the girls are still suffering. Many of the girls are still missing. Many of the girls are presumed dead.
TW: rape, abuse, murder, torture etc.
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
First, it is important to note that this is not an #ownvoices read. I didn't know that until after I finished the novel and Google searched the author. My review comes from the thoughts and feelings I had immediately after reading the last page, but before learning more about the author.
This story is striking and brutal. The protagonist of the story is based on an amalgamation of many women and their stories, related to the author during her years of travel and research in the IDP camps, villages, and NGOs scattered throughout Nigeria.
I remember when Boko Haram kidnapped nearly 300 young women from their school in 2014 - I recall seeing the news updates crawling across the bottom of the television screen, the photos of the grieving parents, the burned school. I remember the #bringbackourgirls movement. But that was the extent of my knowledge. This book is written from the POV of one of those kidnapped young women.
This is a necessary read. I have so much going on in my small circle of reference right now, and it's easy to throw a pity party sometimes. I needed this reminder of my privilege. Novels like this, about events like this, about women who are still terrified of reprisals, who still fear similar events being repeated, who live daily with their mental and physical scars...along with women actively trying to survive very similar threats at this very moment in places across the world, need to be out there for consumption.
Again, this is not #ownvoices. I tried to search around and I did eventually find the non-fiction work, 'Beneath the Tamarind Tree - A Story of Courage, Family , and the Lost Schoolgirls of Boko Haram', by former CNN journalist Isha Sesay, which I plan to read as well.
I truly hope that we will, at some point, have a book to amplify from one of the actual women taken from the Chibok school. But, until we do, I think 'Girl' is a story that should be shared and read.
This story is striking and brutal. The protagonist of the story is based on an amalgamation of many women and their stories, related to the author during her years of travel and research in the IDP camps, villages, and NGOs scattered throughout Nigeria.
I remember when Boko Haram kidnapped nearly 300 young women from their school in 2014 - I recall seeing the news updates crawling across the bottom of the television screen, the photos of the grieving parents, the burned school. I remember the #bringbackourgirls movement. But that was the extent of my knowledge. This book is written from the POV of one of those kidnapped young women.
This is a necessary read. I have so much going on in my small circle of reference right now, and it's easy to throw a pity party sometimes. I needed this reminder of my privilege. Novels like this, about events like this, about women who are still terrified of reprisals, who still fear similar events being repeated, who live daily with their mental and physical scars...along with women actively trying to survive very similar threats at this very moment in places across the world, need to be out there for consumption.
Again, this is not #ownvoices. I tried to search around and I did eventually find the non-fiction work, 'Beneath the Tamarind Tree - A Story of Courage, Family , and the Lost Schoolgirls of Boko Haram', by former CNN journalist Isha Sesay, which I plan to read as well.
I truly hope that we will, at some point, have a book to amplify from one of the actual women taken from the Chibok school. But, until we do, I think 'Girl' is a story that should be shared and read.