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erboe501's review against another edition
4.0
This took absolutely forever to complete on audio, but the plot was compelling enough to keep you invested. I wouldn't necessarily recommend others listen to the book, as the family trees are hard to keep track of when you don't have any physical reference pages. What was sad to read was how many characters had the spark of excitement, energy, passion, love in their youth, and once they become periphery characters in adulthood or old age in another character's chapter, they're disillusioned and disgruntled. Few love matches remain harmonious.
I chose this book at the recommendation of a book group based on my interest in magical realism. I don't know if I'd classify this as necessarily magical realist. The Italians in the beginning chapters come the closest with Nonna's hair that grows wildly long. We also move slightly into the future into something almost dystopic with the "bead" technology implanted into everyone's hands that serve as a mini computer projected onto the skin. Zambia is becoming a surveillance state, with forced vaccinations of experimental drugs. A magical, dystopic family epic.
I chose this book at the recommendation of a book group based on my interest in magical realism. I don't know if I'd classify this as necessarily magical realist. The Italians in the beginning chapters come the closest with Nonna's hair that grows wildly long. We also move slightly into the future into something almost dystopic with the "bead" technology implanted into everyone's hands that serve as a mini computer projected onto the skin. Zambia is becoming a surveillance state, with forced vaccinations of experimental drugs. A magical, dystopic family epic.
tjwallace04's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-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
4.0
"The Old Drift" is epic and beautiful and dense and requires a lot of labor. In my current reading life, I usually finish a book every couple of days. "The Old Drift" took me five solid days of reading. Has it thrown my February reading goals off? Yes. Was it worth it? Also yes.
This is not an easy book to explain or summarize. It is a completely unique mix of historical fiction, magical realism, and, by the end, science fiction. "The Old Drift" is a multi-generational family saga following three families - Italians Frederico and Sibilia, who move to Zambia in the 1950s; native Zambian Matha and her sister and lover; and British Agnes and her Zambian scholar husband Ronald. We learn about their lives and their children's lives and finally their grandchildren's lives, as they weave together in a tighter and tighter pattern. In between sections, there is a Greek chorus of mosquitoes that comment on the past and hint at the future.
The writing is really sharp and lovely. I frequently found myself admiring a turn of phrase or metaphor. However, I do think the beauty of the writing was somewhat blunted by the overwhelming quantity of it. Serpell layers detail after detail into her narrative until you almost feel weighed down by it...unable to see the forest for the trees.
I also struggled with the number of characters. Even though the grandmother characters are each so unique - Sibilia with her ceaselessly growing hair; Matha who starts crying when her lover abandons her and never stops; blind Agnes - as we moved on to the next generations, I kept becoming confused. Is Joseph Agnes' grandson or Matha's? Is Sylvia Jacob's mom or Naila's? I had to flip frequently to the family tree (thank goodness there was one) at the beginning of the book. I also often got befuddled about the time period. Within each section, years, even decades pass, and I would have to flip back to try to verify the date.
My favorite parts of the book were the historical elements, especially the section about the Zambia National Academy of Science, Space Research and Philosophy. Some of the characters in the books are based on real historical figures, including Matha, who was briefly an Afronaut. (Presumably the real Matha didn't start crying and never stop, though.)
Some final thoughts:
1) There aren't any happy relationships in this book; many couples and marriages are described. They all devolve into cheating, misunderstanding, and hatred. Most of the parent-child relationships are also fraught. That was depressing.
2) The last few sections, the science-fiction parts, where people have the internet implanted in their hands and tiny drones are used for nefarious reasons, didn't work as well for me.
3) I loved learning about Zambian history and culture.
4) The dialogue is fantastic. I felt like I caught the rhythm of the way Zambian people talk.
5) Once I got to the end, I wasn't sure what the point was. I felt like something was missing.
Overall, this was a very intense and interesting reading experience. I am glad I read "The Old Drift," but I would not easily or off-handedly recommend it.
This is not an easy book to explain or summarize. It is a completely unique mix of historical fiction, magical realism, and, by the end, science fiction. "The Old Drift" is a multi-generational family saga following three families - Italians Frederico and Sibilia, who move to Zambia in the 1950s; native Zambian Matha and her sister and lover; and British Agnes and her Zambian scholar husband Ronald. We learn about their lives and their children's lives and finally their grandchildren's lives, as they weave together in a tighter and tighter pattern. In between sections, there is a Greek chorus of mosquitoes that comment on the past and hint at the future.
The writing is really sharp and lovely. I frequently found myself admiring a turn of phrase or metaphor. However, I do think the beauty of the writing was somewhat blunted by the overwhelming quantity of it. Serpell layers detail after detail into her narrative until you almost feel weighed down by it...unable to see the forest for the trees.
I also struggled with the number of characters. Even though the grandmother characters are each so unique - Sibilia with her ceaselessly growing hair; Matha who starts crying when her lover abandons her and never stops; blind Agnes - as we moved on to the next generations, I kept becoming confused. Is Joseph Agnes' grandson or Matha's? Is Sylvia Jacob's mom or Naila's? I had to flip frequently to the family tree (thank goodness there was one) at the beginning of the book. I also often got befuddled about the time period. Within each section, years, even decades pass, and I would have to flip back to try to verify the date.
My favorite parts of the book were the historical elements, especially the section about the Zambia National Academy of Science, Space Research and Philosophy. Some of the characters in the books are based on real historical figures, including Matha, who was briefly an Afronaut. (Presumably the real Matha didn't start crying and never stop, though.)
Some final thoughts:
1) There aren't any happy relationships in this book; many couples and marriages are described. They all devolve into cheating, misunderstanding, and hatred. Most of the parent-child relationships are also fraught. That was depressing.
2) The last few sections, the science-fiction parts, where people have the internet implanted in their hands and tiny drones are used for nefarious reasons, didn't work as well for me.
3) I loved learning about Zambian history and culture.
4) The dialogue is fantastic. I felt like I caught the rhythm of the way Zambian people talk.
5) Once I got to the end, I wasn't sure what the point was. I felt like something was missing.
Overall, this was a very intense and interesting reading experience. I am glad I read "The Old Drift," but I would not easily or off-handedly recommend it.
alisonjfields's review against another edition
3.0
This has all the seeds of being a great, classic saga of family, colonizers and colonized. Unfortunately, it does nor hold together and falls apart completely in the back third. First 300 pages, though, are magical.
blrosene's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed, highly recommend, gradually builds momentum the entire way through. Intricate but doesn't require a spreadsheet to keep track of what's going on.
csweet49's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this book. I have been fascinated by Rhodesia/Zambia/Zimbabwe since reading Doris Lessing's books 50 years ago. The thread of the book is the history of Zambia, not the characters. Although there are some intersections of characters there is no continuity between the stories. I read every word for about 1/3 then started skipping parts that bored me then quit at about 2/3.
dreareads_'s review against another edition
4.0
There were times I wanted to give up while reading this book but there was something about Serpell’s clear yet emotive writing that kept me hooked.
This is a multi generational story that tells a fictional (yet rooted in reality) history of Zambia through the lens of different people that are interconnected either through blood or story. These lenses are presented through “short” stories/chapters that contain their own logic but feed into the wider narrative. The threads between these short stories come together to embrace the chaos and hope that are the core message.
The books shines when it embraces the dark/light/honest emotions of the reality of the characters in these pages. There was not a single character with a name that was not complicated and fully realized. Especially the women, Serpell takes great care in showcasing the strength and weaknesses of women under difficult and privileged contexts. You can feel their joy, pain, frustration, gains, losses, heartbreak, and despair.
The main flaw with this book are the “magical” , “SciFi” elements that are sprinkled throughout. There were moments where the magical realism felt out of place, or at least the meaning of some of these parts was not fully clear after a the first read through. I found myself wishing for a more clear presence of these elements, because their scattered nature left me wondering what the point of them was (maybe that is the point? there isn’t any). The short stories were great at providing different perspectives but I feel that the book meanders a little in the middle, causing the thread of the themes to become lost at times.
Regardless of these flaws, I cannot help but loving this book quite a bit. Even when it felt like the story lost focus, it never lost its heart and that’s what makes it special.
Tw: violence, violence against women, SA, pedophelia, murder, death, racism, sexism, misogyny, colonialism, domestic violence, infidelity, loss of a child, loss of a parent, animal abuse, war, torture, incarceration.
This is a multi generational story that tells a fictional (yet rooted in reality) history of Zambia through the lens of different people that are interconnected either through blood or story. These lenses are presented through “short” stories/chapters that contain their own logic but feed into the wider narrative. The threads between these short stories come together to embrace the chaos and hope that are the core message.
The books shines when it embraces the dark/light/honest emotions of the reality of the characters in these pages. There was not a single character with a name that was not complicated and fully realized. Especially the women, Serpell takes great care in showcasing the strength and weaknesses of women under difficult and privileged contexts. You can feel their joy, pain, frustration, gains, losses, heartbreak, and despair.
The main flaw with this book are the “magical” , “SciFi” elements that are sprinkled throughout. There were moments where the magical realism felt out of place, or at least the meaning of some of these parts was not fully clear after a the first read through. I found myself wishing for a more clear presence of these elements, because their scattered nature left me wondering what the point of them was (maybe that is the point? there isn’t any). The short stories were great at providing different perspectives but I feel that the book meanders a little in the middle, causing the thread of the themes to become lost at times.
Regardless of these flaws, I cannot help but loving this book quite a bit. Even when it felt like the story lost focus, it never lost its heart and that’s what makes it special.
Tw: violence, violence against women, SA, pedophelia, murder, death, racism, sexism, misogyny, colonialism, domestic violence, infidelity, loss of a child, loss of a parent, animal abuse, war, torture, incarceration.
margot14's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.75
stefgibmc's review against another edition
3.0
This has to be one of the most ingenious and profound novels I’ve read. Serpell proved her talent and craftsmanship by blending genres, honoring history, and mastering generational serendipity brimming with organic ingredients.
Each chapter is a story in its own right, the blending of these short stories was breathtaking. The issue is that each chapter was not created equally. Serpell left her heart in the last third of the book, unobjectionably so. The issue for me is that the other two thirds were so incredibly painful to suffer through, that I had to pep talk my way through. It felt stiff, dry, and long winded. I worried that each woman would be codependent shells bound for the traditional trajectory often expected. I was dumbfounded that it turned around so abruptly towards the end. Delighted, even. Not often do I shut a book that I forced myself through with so much respect.
One part of me feels that every component and shortcoming was intentional and necessary to build momentum. The other part of me knows that if there were to be more consistency and cohesion early on, this would be a top 5 for me.
Each chapter is a story in its own right, the blending of these short stories was breathtaking. The issue is that each chapter was not created equally. Serpell left her heart in the last third of the book, unobjectionably so. The issue for me is that the other two thirds were so incredibly painful to suffer through, that I had to pep talk my way through. It felt stiff, dry, and long winded. I worried that each woman would be codependent shells bound for the traditional trajectory often expected. I was dumbfounded that it turned around so abruptly towards the end. Delighted, even. Not often do I shut a book that I forced myself through with so much respect.
One part of me feels that every component and shortcoming was intentional and necessary to build momentum. The other part of me knows that if there were to be more consistency and cohesion early on, this would be a top 5 for me.
rachelbohlen's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. This is a multigenerational saga about Zambian families. The book is split up, essentially, by generations. During the first two sections of the book, I loved it. But the last third of the book just did not connect with me. It veers off into what seems to be a lecture about the horrors of technology and maybe some anti-vaccine vibes too. Worse than that, the three characters highlighted in the last section are just kind of terrible. It was such a let down after the first 400 or so pages, which were so rich with great, complex characters. Despite this disappointing ending, I would definitely recommend this book - hey, you may think differently about the last section! And it’s worth reading for the author’s beautiful writing style.