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breevee's review against another edition
5.0
This book is beautiful and poignant, while still reading, as my lit. professor says, "like butter". Threaded through with imagery and parallels alluding to Dante's Divine Comedy, Mengestu offers one of the most objective views of the issue gentrification in literature, as well as delving into topics like race, the treatment of immigrants in the US, and the dissolution of the American Dream.
sujuv's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of those books that made me want to learn about the context that created the main character. In this case, that would be the Red Terror in Ethiopia. Granted, so far my research has involved reading a Wikipedia entry, but I love it when a fictional book that is in no way didactic about politics or even culture spurs you to learn more because you have connected so completely with the main character. This sounds silly, but I was driving and saw a slender, Black man who walking down the street and thought, with great excitement, "is he Ethiopian?" A great book makes you aware of the world in a different way - in my case, apparently, a kind of silly way - and this book is just that. I look forward to reading his new one.
bupdaddy's review against another edition
3.0
Clearly a first novel, that feels like a very well done writing exercise.
The protagonist is frustratingly slow to action, as the novel is slow to plot, but he sure is philosophical.
Maybe it's great and I wasn't in the mood.
The protagonist is frustratingly slow to action, as the novel is slow to plot, but he sure is philosophical.
Maybe it's great and I wasn't in the mood.
bekahnowak's review against another edition
5.0
Great, great book... not to mention we went to school together.
mellabella's review against another edition
4.0
This book made me incredibly sad at times. Told from Ethiopian immigrant Sepha Stephanos's point of view. I felt the loneliness, and isolation. It was also so realistically written that I expected the authors name to be on the pages. I felt like I was reading non fiction instead of fiction most of the time. I just wish it had a little more about Sepha's childhood in Ethiopia and his migration to the States. He described DC (where he opens a convenience store) perfectly. The gentrification that started to take over that neighborhood. His failed-from-the-start relationship with his neighbor Judith and friendship with her young daughter Naomi. I would love a sequel. Or, even a prequel. We are given glimpses to Sepha's life. Not the whole picture.
dayseraph's review against another edition
3.0
This is not a book that I would normally pick up, but my book club chose it. I listened to it on audio book, and the narrator read it with a very soothing African accent. I think that listening to this book may be the best way to go, as not a lot really happens. That is, it gives the illusion of events occurring, but really, all the action has already taken place in the past - either several months earlier in DC or decades earlier in Ethiopia.
The book is narrated by an Ethiopian immigrant named Sepha who left his country during a coup in the 70s for Washington, DC. The particulars of his exodus are gradually explained in memories as the narrator is also reflecting on his relationship with a rich white woman and her mixed daughter in his gentrifying neighborhood.
The title The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears comes from Dante's Inferno, when the narrator is about to leave Hell. It is referenced several times throughout the book, as one of Sepha's friends feels it describes the entire African experience.
I thought the book was well written, but I am not a fan of the particular conceit upon which the book is built. I don't really enjoy when the entire plot is revealed in flashbacks.
Basically everything of interest to the story has already occurred and left Sepha's life. Plus, it was a little depressing. However, I recommend the audio book if you like immigrant stories and are going on a car trip. And if you just like immigrant stories, well, there ya go.
The book is narrated by an Ethiopian immigrant named Sepha who left his country during a coup in the 70s for Washington, DC. The particulars of his exodus are gradually explained in memories as the narrator is also reflecting on his relationship with a rich white woman and her mixed daughter in his gentrifying neighborhood.
The title The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears comes from Dante's Inferno, when the narrator is about to leave Hell. It is referenced several times throughout the book, as one of Sepha's friends feels it describes the entire African experience.
I thought the book was well written, but I am not a fan of the particular conceit upon which the book is built. I don't really enjoy when the entire plot is revealed in flashbacks.
Basically everything of interest to the story has already occurred and left Sepha's life. Plus, it was a little depressing. However, I recommend the audio book if you like immigrant stories and are going on a car trip. And if you just like immigrant stories, well, there ya go.
spinstah's review against another edition
5.0
This was really enjoyable. It’s the story of an immigrant in DC who is struggling with isolation as his neighborhood (Logan Circle) begins to gentrify. Seeing a part of the city I know through such a different perspective was very compelling.
sandin954's review against another edition
3.0
I'll admit I picked this audio up because Dion Graham did the narration and his performance did not disappoint and really carried this slight and rather depressing narrative of an Ethiopian immigrant's experiences in Washington D.C.
deeb's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the best new books I have read in a long time. So highly recommended!