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jarichan's review
2.0
Enthält Spoiler
Dieses Buch hätte vier Sterne oder mehr verdienen können. Hätte. Auf jeden Fall verstehe ich sehr gut, weshalb Condé der Alternative Literaturnobelpreis verliehen wurde.
Der Anfang verzauberte mich richtig. Ich glaube, bisher noch nie einen historischen Roman gelesen zu haben, der sich vollumfänglich um Afrika dreht. Und zwar nicht aus der Sicht der Europäer, sondern aus der Perspektive der afrikanischen Bevölkerung. Ich liebte die Beschreibungen der Kultur, der Familienverhältnise, Gesellschaften. Auch beschreibt die Autorin, wie sich langsam der Islam ausbreitet und ganze Familien und Völker entzweit.
Doch nach etwa der Hälfte des Buches hat man als Leser diese Eindrücke aufgenommen und verarbeitet. Automatisch kümmert man sich nun mehr um die Figuren, die zuvor einfach vor dem schillernden Hintergrund vorbeigezogen sind.
Tja, ab da verläuft das Ganze im Sande. Denn kein einziger Charakter zeichnet sich irgendwie aus. Ich wusste eigentlich nie, wer wer war und was wieso tat. Es gab genau eine Figur, deren Lebensweg mich interessierte. Leider stirbt diese Person ziemlich schnell. Den anderen folgen wir viel länger und irgendwann nach der Hälfte des Buches war bei mir einfach die Luft raus.
Ganz zu Ende war es für mich, als wir uns ewig bei Malobali aufhielten. Diesem Kinderschänder, der uns später vorjammert, wie schwer sein Leben doch sei. Überhaupt haben mich die Beschreibungen der Vergewaltigungen etwas skeptisch werden lassen. Entweder wurde das damals wirklich so hingenommen oder Condés Frauen leiden an ziemlich tiefen Traumata. Ein Opfer verliebt sich in ihren Schänder und das elfjährige Mädchen freut sich auf ihre Heirat mit Malobali...
"Segu" ist ein typischer Fall von zu viel auf einmal. Wären wir mit weniger Charakteren unterwegs gewesen und hätten uns nur auf z.B. auf zwei konzentriert, wäre dieses Werk ein Highlight in meiner Leseliste geworden. Denn ich habe wirklich viel Neues erfahren und tiefe Einblicke in eine mir völlig fremde Kultur erhalten. Der Abwärtstrend danach hat es mir aber völlig versaut und ich bin jetzt einfach nur froh, das Buch in die Bibliothek zurücktragen zu können...
Eigentlich wirklich schade.
Dieses Buch hätte vier Sterne oder mehr verdienen können. Hätte. Auf jeden Fall verstehe ich sehr gut, weshalb Condé der Alternative Literaturnobelpreis verliehen wurde.
Der Anfang verzauberte mich richtig. Ich glaube, bisher noch nie einen historischen Roman gelesen zu haben, der sich vollumfänglich um Afrika dreht. Und zwar nicht aus der Sicht der Europäer, sondern aus der Perspektive der afrikanischen Bevölkerung. Ich liebte die Beschreibungen der Kultur, der Familienverhältnise, Gesellschaften. Auch beschreibt die Autorin, wie sich langsam der Islam ausbreitet und ganze Familien und Völker entzweit.
Doch nach etwa der Hälfte des Buches hat man als Leser diese Eindrücke aufgenommen und verarbeitet. Automatisch kümmert man sich nun mehr um die Figuren, die zuvor einfach vor dem schillernden Hintergrund vorbeigezogen sind.
Tja, ab da verläuft das Ganze im Sande. Denn kein einziger Charakter zeichnet sich irgendwie aus. Ich wusste eigentlich nie, wer wer war und was wieso tat. Es gab genau eine Figur, deren Lebensweg mich interessierte. Leider stirbt diese Person ziemlich schnell. Den anderen folgen wir viel länger und irgendwann nach der Hälfte des Buches war bei mir einfach die Luft raus.
Ganz zu Ende war es für mich, als wir uns ewig bei Malobali aufhielten. Diesem Kinderschänder, der uns später vorjammert, wie schwer sein Leben doch sei. Überhaupt haben mich die Beschreibungen der Vergewaltigungen etwas skeptisch werden lassen. Entweder wurde das damals wirklich so hingenommen oder Condés Frauen leiden an ziemlich tiefen Traumata. Ein Opfer verliebt sich in ihren Schänder und das elfjährige Mädchen freut sich auf ihre Heirat mit Malobali...
"Segu" ist ein typischer Fall von zu viel auf einmal. Wären wir mit weniger Charakteren unterwegs gewesen und hätten uns nur auf z.B. auf zwei konzentriert, wäre dieses Werk ein Highlight in meiner Leseliste geworden. Denn ich habe wirklich viel Neues erfahren und tiefe Einblicke in eine mir völlig fremde Kultur erhalten. Der Abwärtstrend danach hat es mir aber völlig versaut und ich bin jetzt einfach nur froh, das Buch in die Bibliothek zurücktragen zu können...
Eigentlich wirklich schade.
ritrotman's review
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? Yes
5.0
serendipitysbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Segu is an historical epic, set in the African kingdom of Segu (now part present day Mali). It begins in 1797 and follows the lives of the king’s most trusted advisor and his four sons. This was a fascinating if tumultuous period of history with plenty of change and conflict - the arrival of the white man and colonisation, new types of commerce particularly the slave trade, the introduction of both Christianity and Islam with rivalries between them and with traditional spirituality. Add in internal family conflicts plus plenty of information about the beliefs and traditions of Segu’s people and you’ve got the material for an engrossing and absorbing read. Conde’s excellent storytelling abilities are top notch and make this a memorable reading experience. Definitely recommended and I’m keen to read the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Violence, Sexual violence, Slavery, and War
charlott_ii's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.25
shiradest's review against another edition
4.0
Attention-grabbing, informative, saddening, and thought-provoking, this book is worth owning and also learning French to read it. The author has spunion is so many different perspectives, but never actually leaves you hanging, except at the end where there is a cliffhanger. From the ancestor worshiping Africans perspective, to the newly converted Islamic Africans perspective, to the despised mixed race children, who don't get a perspective actually, to a couple of the European slave owners perspectives, she has really done a wonderful job of spinning in various points of view and the cultural descriptions and perspectives are amazing.
August 8, 2018 – page 55
15.99% "Page 55: I find this particular storytelling much more engaging than Victor Hugo's Notre Dame De Paris, although this is also a milieu story." (Other Paperback Edition)
August 9, 2018 – page 0
0.0% "P. 61
Une captive...
August 8, 2018 – page 55
15.99% "Page 55: I find this particular storytelling much more engaging than Victor Hugo's Notre Dame De Paris, although this is also a milieu story." (Other Paperback Edition)
August 9, 2018 – page 0
0.0% "P. 61
Une captive...
andrew61's review against another edition
4.0
One of the joys of trying an around the world book challenge is finding books that portray a world that as a reader i will never physically experience but a good writer is able to vibrantly bring it to life.
So with this book I was transported to North west africa in 1797 , a time of significant change which was particularly interesting given the current tensions in the region and the Middle East.
Segu is a kingdom within what is now Mali and the ruling tribe is The Bambarra who have a sophisticated hierarchy and worship their own gods. Dousika is a nobleman in the kings court with several sons from his wives and concubines. Court intrigue leads to his fall from grace and the book then tells the story of his sons and family over the subsequent forty years. This story is set at a time when Islam is slowly emerging as the dominant religion and one son Tiekoro visits a well drawn Timbuktu with his half brother Siga to study in an Islamic school despite the Bambarra's mistrust of Islam and the opposing tribe who practice the religion. As we see news of the ransacking of historic manuscripts from Timbuktu today these scenes of an advanced society resonated. Another son is captured for the slave trade and ends up in Brazil before returning to Africa and again the story is so full of historical threads that the book was a gripping read, the growth of Islam plays out around the European struggle to colonise Africa and exploit its mineral resources as well as the exploitation for slavery. Similarly as Islam acieves dominance towards the end of the book different Islamic groups fighting among themselves in brutal war had echoes of current struggles.
It was wondeful to read a historical family drama in such a setting and the author, herself a descendant of the Bambarra tribe, weaves a brilliant narrative which allows the reader to enjoy a unique but important story. It creates a picyure of an Africa that is rarely seen as western novels so often portray Africa as the undeveloped savage. At 500+ pages however it is a long read and I did have to go back to the family tree frquently but I'd recommend it to readers of historical fiction as a read far more interesting than the glut of Tudor and plantagenet fayre which dominate the bookshelves.
So with this book I was transported to North west africa in 1797 , a time of significant change which was particularly interesting given the current tensions in the region and the Middle East.
Segu is a kingdom within what is now Mali and the ruling tribe is The Bambarra who have a sophisticated hierarchy and worship their own gods. Dousika is a nobleman in the kings court with several sons from his wives and concubines. Court intrigue leads to his fall from grace and the book then tells the story of his sons and family over the subsequent forty years. This story is set at a time when Islam is slowly emerging as the dominant religion and one son Tiekoro visits a well drawn Timbuktu with his half brother Siga to study in an Islamic school despite the Bambarra's mistrust of Islam and the opposing tribe who practice the religion. As we see news of the ransacking of historic manuscripts from Timbuktu today these scenes of an advanced society resonated. Another son is captured for the slave trade and ends up in Brazil before returning to Africa and again the story is so full of historical threads that the book was a gripping read, the growth of Islam plays out around the European struggle to colonise Africa and exploit its mineral resources as well as the exploitation for slavery. Similarly as Islam acieves dominance towards the end of the book different Islamic groups fighting among themselves in brutal war had echoes of current struggles.
It was wondeful to read a historical family drama in such a setting and the author, herself a descendant of the Bambarra tribe, weaves a brilliant narrative which allows the reader to enjoy a unique but important story. It creates a picyure of an Africa that is rarely seen as western novels so often portray Africa as the undeveloped savage. At 500+ pages however it is a long read and I did have to go back to the family tree frquently but I'd recommend it to readers of historical fiction as a read far more interesting than the glut of Tudor and plantagenet fayre which dominate the bookshelves.
black_girl_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Segu by Maryse Conde is the story of the men of the high ranking Traore family in the Kingdom of the book’s title, Segu (modern day Mali), as their ill-fated lives unravel in the face of significant changes to their traditional community in the forms of western slavery, European influence, the spread of Islam, and new
values from 1797-1860. This book was an extremely challenging read - it was dense and complex, and I relied on the family tree to keep track of who was who and what had happened and was going to. It was a book that made you work for the story. I loved it. I loved seeing clearly how change sneaks in unexpectedly as an uncontrollable force. I loved how every character was so emotionally complex and so vulnerable and also so reflective and so strongly rooted in self. And I loved how Segu remained in every heart no matter where they went or what happened to them. Place was place, and family was family. So here’s the truest wish of my heart: that this book could be twice as long to give me more of the before and after, and then twice as long again so it could give me the same story told twice over, once told by Segu’s men, and once by her women. Because here is the one flaw of the book. Not only the fates of the women, or even the portrayal of these fates, which I found to be unemotional and brutal. But, that, in recalling her own history, and in learning this history, I feel that the voices that Conde heard and read were the voices of men, the stories of men, and probably sometimes western historians, and this created an interpretation of history that did a disservice to women I think, in misrepresentation and oversimplification and minimization and devaluation. An excellent read that could have offered even so much more.
values from 1797-1860. This book was an extremely challenging read - it was dense and complex, and I relied on the family tree to keep track of who was who and what had happened and was going to. It was a book that made you work for the story. I loved it. I loved seeing clearly how change sneaks in unexpectedly as an uncontrollable force. I loved how every character was so emotionally complex and so vulnerable and also so reflective and so strongly rooted in self. And I loved how Segu remained in every heart no matter where they went or what happened to them. Place was place, and family was family. So here’s the truest wish of my heart: that this book could be twice as long to give me more of the before and after, and then twice as long again so it could give me the same story told twice over, once told by Segu’s men, and once by her women. Because here is the one flaw of the book. Not only the fates of the women, or even the portrayal of these fates, which I found to be unemotional and brutal. But, that, in recalling her own history, and in learning this history, I feel that the voices that Conde heard and read were the voices of men, the stories of men, and probably sometimes western historians, and this created an interpretation of history that did a disservice to women I think, in misrepresentation and oversimplification and minimization and devaluation. An excellent read that could have offered even so much more.
kba76's review
3.0
Started in August, put down and picked up a number of times, then restarted in September. My star rating has to reflect my enjoyment/experience of reading, and this was quite a feat to finish. While I recognise its place within a body of literature, this was not a book I could say I enjoyed.
The setting of Segu and the historical period is a fascinating one. It’s not a period/time that will tend to be taught in history in British schools, and I was intrigued by the mention of Nanny de Maroon very late on. I would have liked to know more about this, but focusing on the personal lives of the characters made it quite hard to really understand the experiences faced by many.
Telling the tale of conflict through the character of Dousika and his children does allow us to invest time in their lives, but it led to a rather distanced sensation from my understanding of the historical element.
My biggest gripe with the book was, I thought, going to be the presentation of race. This fell into many of the stereotypes I expected, but as we moved into the latter stages and the character heading to England I thought the author started to tackle the way we perceive race. It was not quite the negative portrayal I was assuming we would get - at least in regards to race.
The off-putting element for me was the way women were presented throughout. Perhaps it’s a cultural difference, but I found myself wincing at the misogynistic attitudes to women that were prevalent. The women - though they seem integral to the lives of the families - are brutalised and dehumanised. Men take from them what they like and they are passed from brother to brother, mere possessions. The repeated rapes and the attempts to rationalise such behaviour left me open-mouthed. I don’t know enough about the author to know if this was a deliberate strategy.
This was chosen as our book club read…and I’m fairly sure I won’t be the only one hoping for something quite different next month.
The setting of Segu and the historical period is a fascinating one. It’s not a period/time that will tend to be taught in history in British schools, and I was intrigued by the mention of Nanny de Maroon very late on. I would have liked to know more about this, but focusing on the personal lives of the characters made it quite hard to really understand the experiences faced by many.
Telling the tale of conflict through the character of Dousika and his children does allow us to invest time in their lives, but it led to a rather distanced sensation from my understanding of the historical element.
My biggest gripe with the book was, I thought, going to be the presentation of race. This fell into many of the stereotypes I expected, but as we moved into the latter stages and the character heading to England I thought the author started to tackle the way we perceive race. It was not quite the negative portrayal I was assuming we would get - at least in regards to race.
The off-putting element for me was the way women were presented throughout. Perhaps it’s a cultural difference, but I found myself wincing at the misogynistic attitudes to women that were prevalent. The women - though they seem integral to the lives of the families - are brutalised and dehumanised. Men take from them what they like and they are passed from brother to brother, mere possessions. The repeated rapes and the attempts to rationalise such behaviour left me open-mouthed. I don’t know enough about the author to know if this was a deliberate strategy.
This was chosen as our book club read…and I’m fairly sure I won’t be the only one hoping for something quite different next month.
spacestationtrustfund's review against another edition
2.0
Maryse Condé est indéniablement une écrivaine superbement talentueuse, mais après près 400 pages de viol sans cesse, je jette l'éponge.