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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
The premise and narrative style of this book really drew me in, but overall I found it underwhelming. The plot was somewhat predictable, and some of the details felt unnecessary. I don't think I'd pick this book up again, but I'm glad I read it all the way through.
This felt like it ended too soon? Idk it's missing something. I wanted to know what happened to her after she left her kids. Did she die? Did she end it and live?
dark
reflective
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:
Yes
This book had so much potential-- a spy thriller centered around a black woman in the 80s in an area of the world most Americans don't really think about. For whatever reason, Wilkinson took this really cool idea and wasted it with the biggest cardinal sin in literature-- being boring.
Marie is quite possibly the worst intelligence operative.She gets her cover blown almost immediately by being way too eager, and even when that doesn't get her in any sort of trouble, still fails to learn anything useful because she asks no follow-up questions or does no investigation. She takes everything told to her at face value . Somehow, after all of this, she still gets an offer to work full-time in intelligence. Make it make sense.
There was zero chemistry between Sankara and Marie. Hell, they barely interacted with each other at all, let alone built up to seduction or romance. Then again, I guess anything can happen when you make your "strong female character" fall in insta-love for no discernible reason.
There were so many opportunities to explore the gender and racial dynamics of a black female spy in the 80s, but it never goes beyond surface level. Wilkinson never really tackles the imperialism of the CIA and ramifications of a US backed coup, nor the role police play in suppression of activists domestically. I'd really hoped this would be a critique of the complicated role law enforcement has in our society, but unfortunately I didn't get it.
Marie is quite possibly the worst intelligence operative.
There was zero chemistry between Sankara and Marie. Hell, they barely interacted with each other at all, let alone built up to seduction or romance. Then again, I guess anything can happen when you make your "strong female character" fall in insta-love for no discernible reason.
There were so many opportunities to explore the gender and racial dynamics of a black female spy in the 80s, but it never goes beyond surface level. Wilkinson never really tackles the imperialism of the CIA and ramifications of a US backed coup, nor the role police play in suppression of activists domestically. I'd really hoped this would be a critique of the complicated role law enforcement has in our society, but unfortunately I didn't get it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
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
Enjoyed the book, wasn’t as intense as I expected and very well written. Acknowledges/wrestles with the complexities of working for the feds while living as a black woman in the United States quite well, I would say.
I learned a lot about Burkina Faso's history and the author presents the human condition well. This book could have benefitted from more research on spies but it was entertaining.
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Digital audiobook performed by Bahni Turpin
From the book jacket: It’s 1986, and Marie Mitchell is an intelligence officer with the FBI. She’s brilliant, but she’s also a young black woman working in an old boys’ club. Her career has stalled out. So when she’ given the opportunity to join a shadowy task force aimed at undermining Thomas Sankara, the charismatic revolutionary president of Burkina Faso, she says yes. Yes, even though she secretly admires the work Sankara is doing for his country. Yes, even though she is still grieving the mysterious death of her sister. Yes, even though a part of her suspects she’s being offered the job because of her appearance and not her talent
My reactions:
What an interesting and inventive debut. Told as a letter to her young children, Marie relates the events that led to her meeting their father and her career in counterintelligence. Wilkinson uses some events from history – particularly the assassination of Thomas Sankara – to frame this story of personal responsibility, family dynamics, and loyalty: to family, to country, to social ideals.
I loved Marie as a central character. She’s principled, self-reliant, smart, resilient, strong in mind and body, and fiercely protective of her family. Do NOT mess with this woman!
Bahni Turpin performed the audio book and she does a marvelous job. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite audio narrators.
From the book jacket: It’s 1986, and Marie Mitchell is an intelligence officer with the FBI. She’s brilliant, but she’s also a young black woman working in an old boys’ club. Her career has stalled out. So when she’ given the opportunity to join a shadowy task force aimed at undermining Thomas Sankara, the charismatic revolutionary president of Burkina Faso, she says yes. Yes, even though she secretly admires the work Sankara is doing for his country. Yes, even though she is still grieving the mysterious death of her sister. Yes, even though a part of her suspects she’s being offered the job because of her appearance and not her talent
My reactions:
What an interesting and inventive debut. Told as a letter to her young children, Marie relates the events that led to her meeting their father and her career in counterintelligence. Wilkinson uses some events from history – particularly the assassination of Thomas Sankara – to frame this story of personal responsibility, family dynamics, and loyalty: to family, to country, to social ideals.
I loved Marie as a central character. She’s principled, self-reliant, smart, resilient, strong in mind and body, and fiercely protective of her family. Do NOT mess with this woman!
Bahni Turpin performed the audio book and she does a marvelous job. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite audio narrators.
I enjoyed this rather slow, thoughtful, complex, and unusual spy story. Loved the main character's voice - both as written and as read by the narrator.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes