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katie_greenwinginmymouth's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
4.0
The book presents a chorus of voices presenting their experience of the epidemic and is book-ended by the voice of the ancient baobab tree whose longevity gives a more than human perspective on these events and a perspective from which to critique humankind’s exploitation of the natural world. In between we hear from numerous people affected by the virus, healthcare workers, NGO workers, sanitation workers, outreach workers and even a bat and the virus itself.
Sometimes fable-like and sometimes like oral testimony the story unfolds in a simple, direct way that works well for the subject matter. What stuck with me most was the contrast between the treatment given to the NGO worker who was immediately flown back to their country for treatment compared to the death of the country’s most knowledgeable clinician because no western country would authorise his transfer to them for treatment. Time and again it seems that desperate situations magnify inequalities and block simple, lifesaving actions. We are overwhelmed with evidence of this it seems these days…
wizardfuzz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jeanclaire's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
gpettey19's review against another edition
3.0
This was less fictional narrative than it was non-fictional recounting of events and circumstances but without the actual facts and data to back it up. Not what I had hoped for, but I'll definitely try one of her Tadjo's other works.
It never used to be like that in my village, where death was always welcomed. Everyone accepted it, in the same way they knew that the earth must rest before it can bring forth a new harvest. To leave a deceased person alone, all by himself, was unthinkable. To keep him company was a sacred duty, and an opportunity for the villagers to come together to eat and drink, sing, weep, and dance around him. They would talk to him, reassuring him about the grave that awaited him. The words they would murmur to him came straight from the heart. They would ask the deceased to counsel them one last time. They would touch him, adjusting his ceremonial garments so that he would always look beautiful. They would celebrate his passage on earth. Death was a part of daily life; everyone addressed it in informal terms. It was familiar to them.
It never used to be like that in my village, where death was always welcomed. Everyone accepted it, in the same way they knew that the earth must rest before it can bring forth a new harvest. To leave a deceased person alone, all by himself, was unthinkable. To keep him company was a sacred duty, and an opportunity for the villagers to come together to eat and drink, sing, weep, and dance around him. They would talk to him, reassuring him about the grave that awaited him. The words they would murmur to him came straight from the heart. They would ask the deceased to counsel them one last time. They would touch him, adjusting his ceremonial garments so that he would always look beautiful. They would celebrate his passage on earth. Death was a part of daily life; everyone addressed it in informal terms. It was familiar to them.
hidrnick's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
mpr2000's review against another edition
4.0
This had been an intense and different read.
When I was young I wanted to be a microbiologist, so reading about infectious diseases always interested me. Ebola is one of the most scariest illnesses that humanity is fighting right now. There is no vaccine and since it is only affecting to Africa, it looks like the rich countries are not interested in creating a vaccine. Covid was discovered almost 2 years ago and there are almost 5 working vaccines, how is it possible that there’s not one for Ebola? It’s much more dangerous and has been cohabiting with us for much longer than that. Really, what are we waiting to invest in this illness?
The story is told in short chapters and with different voices explaining the Ebola outbreak between 2014 and 2016. Let’s be honest, this is not an easy read, I don’t think everyone is really aware of how dangerous this virus is. We are living in a pandemic right now, so it’s not difficult to feel connected with all the characters and the fear/pain/doubts they are having.
What attracted me most is the view from the Baobab tree, the environmental view, how it sees everything and is impossible to stop the human damage but aware of how endangered the world we are living is.
This is a short story, but believe me, not a light read, but a good way to spread some information in a philosophical way, to make the reader aware that we are not living alone in this world.
Are you ready for “The Company of Men”?
When I was young I wanted to be a microbiologist, so reading about infectious diseases always interested me. Ebola is one of the most scariest illnesses that humanity is fighting right now. There is no vaccine and since it is only affecting to Africa, it looks like the rich countries are not interested in creating a vaccine. Covid was discovered almost 2 years ago and there are almost 5 working vaccines, how is it possible that there’s not one for Ebola? It’s much more dangerous and has been cohabiting with us for much longer than that. Really, what are we waiting to invest in this illness?
The story is told in short chapters and with different voices explaining the Ebola outbreak between 2014 and 2016. Let’s be honest, this is not an easy read, I don’t think everyone is really aware of how dangerous this virus is. We are living in a pandemic right now, so it’s not difficult to feel connected with all the characters and the fear/pain/doubts they are having.
What attracted me most is the view from the Baobab tree, the environmental view, how it sees everything and is impossible to stop the human damage but aware of how endangered the world we are living is.
This is a short story, but believe me, not a light read, but a good way to spread some information in a philosophical way, to make the reader aware that we are not living alone in this world.
Are you ready for “The Company of Men”?
hootreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
souvalli's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5