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ohlhauc's review
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This is not a book to be read at face value. To truly understand its power and impact, it's important to have some understanding of social conventions around gender and sexuality, as well as the colonial history with Spain, of Equatorial Guinea.
Without having this context, it would be easy for Western readers to dismiss this story because of its writing. It is very sparse, there are some plot holes, and there is much character development in the standard sense of the term, meaning, this development isn't put directly on the page. It's left in between the lines and requires the reader to actively engage with the text and fill in the gaps. If you hate that, you'll hate this book. If you love that or don't mind it, this book could be for you.
It is very much an allegory looking at what it takes to live freely, and to escape traditional conventions in a culture, especially when it comes to queerness, femininity and masculinity. It's very fast-paced and a lot of plot happens in the short span of the book, but each moment builds up the character's increasing self-awareness and eventual liberation. It's an important addition to queer fiction, especially queer fiction from communities that have levels of oppression against gender non-conforming people and those who aren't heterosexual.
It has a childlike quality to the writing but still holds on to a sexy, rebellious energy. I would have liked to see a few more scenes between the characters to better understand the depth of their relationships, but I did enjoy this. If the above doesn't scare you, please check it out.
Without having this context, it would be easy for Western readers to dismiss this story because of its writing. It is very sparse, there are some plot holes, and there is much character development in the standard sense of the term, meaning, this development isn't put directly on the page. It's left in between the lines and requires the reader to actively engage with the text and fill in the gaps. If you hate that, you'll hate this book. If you love that or don't mind it, this book could be for you.
It is very much an allegory looking at what it takes to live freely, and to escape traditional conventions in a culture, especially when it comes to queerness, femininity and masculinity. It's very fast-paced and a lot of plot happens in the short span of the book, but each moment builds up the character's increasing self-awareness and eventual liberation. It's an important addition to queer fiction, especially queer fiction from communities that have levels of oppression against gender non-conforming people and those who aren't heterosexual.
It has a childlike quality to the writing but still holds on to a sexy, rebellious energy. I would have liked to see a few more scenes between the characters to better understand the depth of their relationships, but I did enjoy this. If the above doesn't scare you, please check it out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Violence
polygamysarahtranslates's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Misogyny
Moderate: Rape, Incest, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
La Bastarda is apparently the first book by a woman author from Equatorial Guinea to be translated into English. It’s a very slim volume with straightforward structure and prose. It is the story of Okomo. Her mother died in childbirth and she lives with her maternal grandparents. Nobody will give her any information about who her father is. Her grandparents are keen for her to marry, a rich man. But she is already in love. With a girl named Dina. Okomo’s Fang culture does not treat gay men well and they do not even recognise the existence of gay women. There is no word in the language for them.
I found this very accessible and readable. The insight into different cultural practices and beliefs was fascinating. Learning about life in other countries is interesting in its own right by it also gives me a new lens through which to examine life in my own country. I really felt for Marcelo (her uncle, a gay man or man-woman as the Fang culture derisively labelled him) under so much pressure to impregnate a woman whose own husband cannot, and Okomo who was simply unable to live the way tribal custom dictated. Thankfully both Marcelo and Okomo were able to find support with a found family of others who lived in the forest.
A useful book to read to gain more of an international perspective on gay rights, and a satisfying story to boot.
I found this very accessible and readable. The insight into different cultural practices and beliefs was fascinating. Learning about life in other countries is interesting in its own right by it also gives me a new lens through which to examine life in my own country. I really felt for Marcelo (her uncle, a gay man or man-woman as the Fang culture derisively labelled him) under so much pressure to impregnate a woman whose own husband cannot, and Okomo who was simply unable to live the way tribal custom dictated. Thankfully both Marcelo and Okomo were able to find support with a found family of others who lived in the forest.
A useful book to read to gain more of an international perspective on gay rights, and a satisfying story to boot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Incest, and Sexual assault
discotits's review
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Incest, and Child abuse
Moderate: Homophobia
abbie_'s review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
La Bastarda by Trifonia Melibea Obono, translated from the Spanish by Lawrence Schimel, is the first book by an Equatorial Guinean woman to be published in English. It’s also banned in Equatorial Guinea because of its lesbian main characters. It’s only short, 90 pages plus a brilliant and illuminating afterword, but it’s such an important contribution to the literary scene and I’d love for more people to pick it up if they can!
.
The premise is simple. Okomo is an orphaned teenage girl living with her grandparents in a small village near the Gabon border. Her world is ruled by traditional gender norms for women according to Fang culture, as well as toxic masculinity in the form of her grandfather. His favourite subject is the sexual conquests of himself and his progeny. Okomo is also grappling with her sexuality, finding refuge in the ‘Indecency Club’ and her gay uncle, referred to as a ‘man-woman’ because of his failure to consummate marriages and father children. As for Okomo and the three other girls in the Indecency Club, no word exists for them. Anything which goes against Fang tradition is regarded with suspicion, and not just sexuality. Okomo’s uncle is considered just as strange for his decision to keep his father’s ashes in an urn, rather than burying him and celebrating his death in the traditional manner.
.
The afterword by Abosede George was incredibly helpful in understanding more of the context around this book, particularly regarding prejudice towards same-sex practises versus prejudice towards not conforming to reproductivity in Africa. I thought the ending of the book was maybe far-fetched but hopeful, with the characters carving out a space for their queerness to thrive away from suspicion and prejudice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Incest, and Rape
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