Reviews

Wizard of the Crow by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

emr158's review

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

3.5

awkwardzone's review against another edition

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challenging funny inspiring slow-paced

3.75

grayjay's review against another edition

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3.0

This novel about power, corruption, and belief was a wild ride with lively characters and a convoluted, but hooking plot

Although I don't have a background in the history and politics of totalitarian countries in Africa the author is satirizing, I was kept engaged by the interesting characters, madcap plot devices, and absurdity of it all.

alfsan's review against another edition

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5.0

A great insight into African politics, social and religious beliefs. It’s a very log but entertaining book.

cameronkobesauthor's review against another edition

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5.0

'Wizard of the Crow' is a massive novel and takes a very long time to read, but it's definitely worth it. Despite being 766 pages long, it's never boring. The characters are larger-than-life, the story is engrossing, and the use of magic realism is absolutely fantastic. I do wish I had more context for what the author is criticizing and satirizing though; I think I would have gotten more out of the book if I'd known more about Kenyan history and post-colonial Africa.

barthe456's review

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challenging funny inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

oxdubs's review against another edition

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I didn't know satire could be so beautiful.

"Knowledge is the discovery of the magic of the ordinary. Like words put into song."

Have you heard the one about the Wind and the Sun? Pull up a chair, it's a long one...

rachelwalexander's review against another edition

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5.0

Brilliant anti-authoritarian fiction.

armenag's review

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adventurous funny slow-paced

5.0

manaledi's review against another edition

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5.0

I was a huge fan. This book has literally everything (because it's plenty long enough), but you get world politics and protests and corruption and power and love and sorcery.