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rhodaj's review against another edition
2.0
This was my read the world selection for Djibouti.
In this book, the world is flipped and Western Europeans, Americans and the Japanese are living in slums and relying on aid from the wealthy and affluent Afghans, Haitians and Africans. Maya is a poor white French girl who has been adopted by a prosperous African doctor and his wife. Maya returns to Paris to try to find her birth mother and perhaps something of her lost self.
This book starts off brilliantly with plenty of clever satirical moments (loved the Arafat Peace Prize winner who was awarded for her struggle against the corrupt dictatorship of New Zealand), but it all falls apart soon after, with the rest of the book seemingly being a series of very loosely connected essays that didn’t seem to really go anywhere or contribute to an overall story.
Unfortunately I can’t really say I enjoyed this book beyond the first chapter. The author had such a unique and inspired idea with this topic, but I don’t feel that it was executed very well which is a real pity, as it started so promisingly. ⭐️⭐️/5
In this book, the world is flipped and Western Europeans, Americans and the Japanese are living in slums and relying on aid from the wealthy and affluent Afghans, Haitians and Africans. Maya is a poor white French girl who has been adopted by a prosperous African doctor and his wife. Maya returns to Paris to try to find her birth mother and perhaps something of her lost self.
This book starts off brilliantly with plenty of clever satirical moments (loved the Arafat Peace Prize winner who was awarded for her struggle against the corrupt dictatorship of New Zealand), but it all falls apart soon after, with the rest of the book seemingly being a series of very loosely connected essays that didn’t seem to really go anywhere or contribute to an overall story.
Unfortunately I can’t really say I enjoyed this book beyond the first chapter. The author had such a unique and inspired idea with this topic, but I don’t feel that it was executed very well which is a real pity, as it started so promisingly. ⭐️⭐️/5
andrewfontenelle's review against another edition
2.0
Whilst the concept behind this book seemed very interesting - Africa as the developed world versus the underdeveloped northern nations.
Sadly it turned out to be a disappointing read. I found the style of writing difficult to follow as it is a collection of satirical tales rather than a specific story.
Sadly it turned out to be a disappointing read. I found the style of writing difficult to follow as it is a collection of satirical tales rather than a specific story.
orangejenny's review against another edition
3.0
The concept is appealing and the language is poetic. The chapters are short, but not choppy. Packed with allusions, most of which went over my head. Reading this felt like walking through an art museum as an art neophyte (which I am): glancing from one painting to the next, feeling appreciation but also being quite aware that there's a lot going on that I'm not grasping.
lady_ness's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
itsthathikingreader's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting insights, brought to the reader in a very creative way. Waberi is a genius, although I must say that his style probably is hard to read when read for the first time (and all the more for those not used to African lit). I think at least two or three readings of the book are needed to take sufficient from it in order to recognize it as the master work it is - or, in some aspects, could be.
sophieislington's review against another edition
1.0
Great concept, very poorly executed. If you can find just the first chapter do read it but the rest is very choppy and disconnected.
bambidew's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming
ectoplasmjames's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kimiwriter's review against another edition
1.0
I DNF'd this one after the first few chapters. It's an interesting concept but I couldn't get into it. Maybe when I have more time to really digest it, I'll go back to it.