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anetq's review against another edition
3.0
I want to like this book, but I think [b:Half of a Yellow Sun|18749|Half of a Yellow Sun|Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327934717s/18749.jpg|1651408] ruined me...
I wanted to like this, and the first book was good, but in the second book, as we shift from the close family drama to the broader political scene the characters seem stiff and cliché to me. Historically this is interesting, but I think I'm strugling with two things: 1) I'm not really into "historical family drama"-novels 2) Sorry to say, but having just read the awesome Half of a Yellow Sun - this just seems like a weak attempt at the same thing. But with shallower cliché characters, and more pompous style in drama and language. I spot the same roles, but not done as elegantly. Also so far no interesting speaking parts for women in this play (dying or worried about family) - 160 pages in not passing a Bechdel test. On the good side the story made me read up on the strange story of Emperor Haile Selassie and his god-like status to the rastafarians.
As a tale of the Ethiopian revolution, civil war and/or horrific regime it is very efficient. As the tale of a family struggling through a war is is not as wellformed. Somehow it seems a little schematic to me: One for, one against, one who ends up shooting the emperor, one who is the centre of a rebel attack... all rolled into a family of 4 - more or less. So while the portrayal of the horrors of war, and the unmerciful randomness of who lives or dies in the chaos is very good (if good is an appropriate word here), the storyline of the novel does not capture me. And to be honest; I might have been a lot more impressed if I hadn't been so taken with Half of Yellow Sun - making this seem to me like a vague attempt at the same, but less successful.
I wanted to like this, and the first book was good, but in the second book, as we shift from the close family drama to the broader political scene the characters seem stiff and cliché to me. Historically this is interesting, but I think I'm strugling with two things: 1) I'm not really into "historical family drama"-novels 2) Sorry to say, but having just read the awesome Half of a Yellow Sun - this just seems like a weak attempt at the same thing. But with shallower cliché characters, and more pompous style in drama and language. I spot the same roles, but not done as elegantly. Also so far no interesting speaking parts for women in this play (dying or worried about family) - 160 pages in not passing a Bechdel test. On the good side the story made me read up on the strange story of Emperor Haile Selassie and his god-like status to the rastafarians.
As a tale of the Ethiopian revolution, civil war and/or horrific regime it is very efficient. As the tale of a family struggling through a war is is not as wellformed. Somehow it seems a little schematic to me: One for, one against, one who ends up shooting the emperor, one who is the centre of a rebel attack... all rolled into a family of 4 - more or less. So while the portrayal of the horrors of war, and the unmerciful randomness of who lives or dies in the chaos is very good (if good is an appropriate word here), the storyline of the novel does not capture me. And to be honest; I might have been a lot more impressed if I hadn't been so taken with Half of Yellow Sun - making this seem to me like a vague attempt at the same, but less successful.
jeankwemoi's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautiful written story which tags one’s heart and triggers your curiosity in regards to Ethiopia’s history. It was interesting to see The Emperor portrayed differently from what we hear from the Jamaican people who really worship him. The book is very descriptive, it engages all your senses. I would highly recommend
lakerss12's review against another edition
5.0
I was originally supposed to read this book fall of 2019 for my African Politics & Government class. I remembered the overall plot details fairly well, but reading it I was so entranced by the book. I really just loved all of the characters. Story about Dr Hailu, Dawit, Sara, Yonas, etc during the Dergs early years. I really don’t think I could be as brave as the characters were, it was so impressive to me their sacrifices and I just don’t think I’m at that same caliber truthfully. Nevertheless, I loved it and it really propels me to read more African fiction.
ruthie_the_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Bloody torture & some horrifying moments, but I found this incredibly readable...
sssnoo's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent historical fiction book written about a little know (to Westerners) event in history. The horrific dictatorship following Haile Selasse’s reign in Ethiopia. The Dergue. If people are interested in understanding world cultures and want a change from the dominant WWII fiction pick up this book - or the authors new book. Learn some new history.
figgy_pudding's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Brutal and harrowing and incredible.
There were some odd switches to 1st person from 3rd person that didn't really work for ne very occasionally which is why it's not 5 stars
There were some odd switches to 1st person from 3rd person that didn't really work for ne very occasionally which is why it's not 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Self harm, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, and Medical trauma
amyjo25's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5