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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The ending is what makes this book. But you have to read through a whole lot of frustrating POV to get to it.
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
There are a few aspects of this book that I quite liked, but many more that fell flat. The writing is beautiful (no surprise for those who've read At Night All Blood Is Black). Sam Taylor's translation captures the quality of the language beautifully. I also really liked the final chapter.
The book is, however, quite dry a lot of the time. There is quite a slow start to introduce the heart of the story, as well as a meandering denouement. The story that comprises the middle of the book is much more interesting. My sense is that Diop was attempting to replicate the European travel writing of the eighteenth century and use that to explore experiencesof racism and colonization in Senegal during that period. Though not an expert on eighteenth-century writing by any means, I think he succeeded. (Worth noting here that Diop IS an expert on eighteenth-century literature.) I didn't personally feel the pay-off for the project was worth it though; I would have preferred a tighter narrative with more insight into the experiences of the Black characters involved - though again, their silence in the narrative is pretty clearly intentional.
The book is, however, quite dry a lot of the time. There is quite a slow start to introduce the heart of the story, as well as a meandering denouement. The story that comprises the middle of the book is much more interesting. My sense is that Diop was attempting to replicate the European travel writing of the eighteenth century and use that to explore experiencesof racism and colonization in Senegal during that period. Though not an expert on eighteenth-century writing by any means, I think he succeeded. (Worth noting here that Diop IS an expert on eighteenth-century literature.) I didn't personally feel the pay-off for the project was worth it though; I would have preferred a tighter narrative with more insight into the experiences of the Black characters involved - though again, their silence in the narrative is pretty clearly intentional.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, Murder, Colonisation
Moderate: Incest, Medical content, Colonisation
I enjoyed this book, and found it more accessible than "At Night All Blood Is Black." But, I'm not entirely sure why David Diop wrote it. It seems to center a colonial white, male protagonist in his romanticizing and othering of a young, black woman. The end of the novel, through shifting perspectives to an enslaved black woman in France, pithily changes that view, and gives the reader the critical lens they might have expected; but, it feels a little late and unsatisfying.
Even so, I like the premise of the book. Diop takes a real historical figure--a French 18th century botanist--and imagines a secret memoir he's hidden, (rightly) hoping his semi-estranged daughter will find. This book is that memoir. It helps make the protagonist's biases clear from the outset, while also allowing for him, through his recollection, to be self-critical.
Even so, I like the premise of the book. Diop takes a real historical figure--a French 18th century botanist--and imagines a secret memoir he's hidden, (rightly) hoping his semi-estranged daughter will find. This book is that memoir. It helps make the protagonist's biases clear from the outset, while also allowing for him, through his recollection, to be self-critical.
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
beyond the door of no return is the second book i’ve read from david diop after reading at night all blood is black last month. and, well, it’s going to be my last. this book evoked much of the same feelings that the other did; i found it difficult to become engaged and so, even though it was a short story, it still felt like a bit of a slog to read.
✧ full review on my tumblr ✧
✧ full review on my tumblr ✧
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Pedophilia, Rape, Slavery, Murder
Too boring and took to long to get to whatever the point was
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes