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alyssia_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This is Mohamed’s first novel and she set to writing it with great purpose. British Somalis have been underrepresented for decades and while other minority groups in the UK have fought to be heard and seen in positive ways, Somalis are too often still painted as violent immigrants who refuse to integrate. Mohamed wanted to challenge this perception by telling and expanding her fathers experiences as a young Somali man, both across Africa and in Britain.
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The story of Jama opens in 1930s Aden, a city in Yemen where Jama and his mother live in poverty. Jama’s father has left to seek his fortune as a ‘ferengi driver’, chauffeuring white foreigners and their goods around Sudan. As a boy Jama is burdened with huge promise by the tale his mother tells of a Black Mamba snake that visited her during her pregnancy and blessed the unborn Jama. Not feeling that he can live up to such promise and raging against his father’s absence, Jama spends his days running round the city with market boys, trying to steal what little food they can to survive. Eventually, Jama leaves Yemen himself and begins a journey to find his lost father. This ensues a geographical and historical tour of the Red Sea coast as Jama, over a decade ravaged by war, makes his way slowly North through Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt. The people he meets along the way leave lasting imprints on his life and by the end of the novel he looks back on these encounters and experiences in order to decide what kind of man he wants to be.
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Mohamed’s writing is lyrical and her intricate descriptions bring life to scenes that might at first seem barren. This is a powerful story of identity and brings light to the darkness of life as a refugee. Jama’s story is a reminder that for so many Home is somewhere that has been taken from you. Those of us who have never had to flee our homes too often take that for granted. The phrase ‘home is where the heart is’ is useless when, for your entire life, people have endeavoured to eliminate everything you hold dear. When you have nothing of your heart left, where is home?
.
The story of Jama opens in 1930s Aden, a city in Yemen where Jama and his mother live in poverty. Jama’s father has left to seek his fortune as a ‘ferengi driver’, chauffeuring white foreigners and their goods around Sudan. As a boy Jama is burdened with huge promise by the tale his mother tells of a Black Mamba snake that visited her during her pregnancy and blessed the unborn Jama. Not feeling that he can live up to such promise and raging against his father’s absence, Jama spends his days running round the city with market boys, trying to steal what little food they can to survive. Eventually, Jama leaves Yemen himself and begins a journey to find his lost father. This ensues a geographical and historical tour of the Red Sea coast as Jama, over a decade ravaged by war, makes his way slowly North through Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt. The people he meets along the way leave lasting imprints on his life and by the end of the novel he looks back on these encounters and experiences in order to decide what kind of man he wants to be.
.
Mohamed’s writing is lyrical and her intricate descriptions bring life to scenes that might at first seem barren. This is a powerful story of identity and brings light to the darkness of life as a refugee. Jama’s story is a reminder that for so many Home is somewhere that has been taken from you. Those of us who have never had to flee our homes too often take that for granted. The phrase ‘home is where the heart is’ is useless when, for your entire life, people have endeavoured to eliminate everything you hold dear. When you have nothing of your heart left, where is home?
crazytourists_books's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
A brutal book that opens a window to a different world. Based on a true story, that of the authors father, which makes it even more brutal.
A depiction of life in Africa, during the colonial times, pre, during and post WWII, heartbreaking and depressive but at the same time full of will to live a good life.
A lot of brutal, nauseating violence at some points, a bit chaotic at others but a narration that held you tight in its grip.
Not enjoyable but quite interesting and captivating.
A depiction of life in Africa, during the colonial times, pre, during and post WWII, heartbreaking and depressive but at the same time full of will to live a good life.
A lot of brutal, nauseating violence at some points, a bit chaotic at others but a narration that held you tight in its grip.
Not enjoyable but quite interesting and captivating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Colonisation, Torture, Rape, War, Racism, and Antisemitism
monique3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
oviedorose's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
4.0
rworrall78's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and War
sarahmp's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-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
4.25
Can't actually believe that any of this is true! What an extraordinary journey by and extraordinary boy! Weirdly positive and uplifting despite the brutal times and experiences of Jama.
katiescosycorner's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Violence
janewilkinson59's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mishlist's review against another edition
5.0
A harsh yet beautiful account of Jama's journey from boy to man, his search for his father and for wealth and an exploration of the effects of conflict and colonialism across Africa and Europe. Mohamed makes each character detailed and unforgettable, so that even as Jama encounters friends and kin again and again, the reader is able to recognise and remember their importance - and what I loved about Black Mamba Boy particularly is that characters reappear and echo throughout the narrative, that they all play a purpose in Jama's life. From Musa, an alcoholic Somali who plays his part in bringing Jama to England, to his mother Ambaro; her strength and love recalled in the Jewish mothers Jama would end up transporting, and his friends Shidane and Abdhi, from whom Jama would learn some of his most important lessons, including his place in the new world.
I loved the circular nature of Black Mamba Boy - Guure gone travelling, in search of himself and purpose and money for his family, to his son taking on the same burden and responsibility; a love for a sensible woman and a son left behind. Jama is such a strong, resilient character, with an enduring sense of wonder and humour, yet he is not flawless - unable to be rid of some of that childishness, indecisiveness - but Mohamed makes an effort to explain the reasons behind his actions, like why he chooses to work for the foreigners and his drive in moving from place to place in search of something, anything that will tie him to the world.
Black Mamba Boy was brimming with colorful characters- vain, fat women, cruel Italian soldiers, resourceful street boys- accompanied by events and happenings so rich and devastating that it made me cry. It provided a glimpse of the sweeping African landscapes - the golden sands and heat on the way to Port Said, the mess and noise and chatter of Aden, the jumble of alliances and kinship among the Somalis. And all throughout, Jama - a sulky child, not understanding family politics or the depth of his mother's love, to a stripling teen. From a member of the Italian army to a wealthy land owner, to a poor boy of eighteen with nothing, I have loved every second of his journey and his learning. 4.7 stars.
I loved the circular nature of Black Mamba Boy - Guure gone travelling, in search of himself and purpose and money for his family, to his son taking on the same burden and responsibility; a love for a sensible woman and a son left behind. Jama is such a strong, resilient character, with an enduring sense of wonder and humour, yet he is not flawless - unable to be rid of some of that childishness, indecisiveness - but Mohamed makes an effort to explain the reasons behind his actions, like why he chooses to work for the foreigners and his drive in moving from place to place in search of something, anything that will tie him to the world.
Black Mamba Boy was brimming with colorful characters- vain, fat women, cruel Italian soldiers, resourceful street boys- accompanied by events and happenings so rich and devastating that it made me cry. It provided a glimpse of the sweeping African landscapes - the golden sands and heat on the way to Port Said, the mess and noise and chatter of Aden, the jumble of alliances and kinship among the Somalis. And all throughout, Jama - a sulky child, not understanding family politics or the depth of his mother's love, to a stripling teen. From a member of the Italian army to a wealthy land owner, to a poor boy of eighteen with nothing, I have loved every second of his journey and his learning. 4.7 stars.