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amavi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I didn't like this at the start but I really liked the ending, I kinda want a second part.
I loved the development of our main character.
The writing was a little boring at times, the themes were interesting.
I loved the development of our main character.
The writing was a little boring at times, the themes were interesting.
fairyfi's review
dark
sad
tense
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
3.25
jocelynw's review
3.0
J: I see why you like this so much.
M: Why?
J: It's stuff you believe strung together with your favorite, magic realism.
M: Touché.
M: Why?
J: It's stuff you believe strung together with your favorite, magic realism.
M: Touché.
evilyn's review
challenging
reflective
medium-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
4.5
lilaceous's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
characters - ⭐️
plot -
engaging to read - .5⭐️
would recommend - .5⭐️
would read again -
a surreal anti-capitalist commentary with interesting insight and characters, but the lecture-like style of the novel came at the expense of plot and realistic dialogue. the characters have uninterrupted monologues that last for pages in lieu of actual conversations, and these sections felt nearly unreadable to me. overall, this book has some good things to say, i just didn’t find enjoyable to read because of structure issues.
a surreal anti-capitalist commentary with interesting insight and characters, but the lecture-like style of the novel came at the expense of plot and realistic dialogue. the characters have uninterrupted monologues that last for pages in lieu of actual conversations, and these sections felt nearly unreadable to me. overall, this book has some good things to say, i just didn’t find enjoyable to read because of structure issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Racism
jlizaguirre's review against another edition
3.0
Me ha parecido una crítica brutal al capitalismo y al colonialismo desde el punto de vista de cómo ha afectado a la realidad de Kenia. Hay frases demoledoras y la construcción de la crítica a través de la metáfora me ha parecido muy acertada.
Para mi gusto le ha faltado un poco de ritmo pero se lee fácil. Tiene un gran valor de cara a reivindicar el africanismo del país, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta que el autor lo escribió en papel higiénico durante su estancia en prisión.
Para mi gusto le ha faltado un poco de ritmo pero se lee fácil. Tiene un gran valor de cara a reivindicar el africanismo del país, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta que el autor lo escribió en papel higiénico durante su estancia en prisión.
motifenjoyer's review
4.0
More like a 7/10, but the themes (which are not at all subtle) really resonated with me and the ending is great, so I rounded it up to 4 stars. It's as didactic as everyone says, but its message is still important and it's also quite humorous in places. I also appreciate that Ngũgĩ focused on the particular experiences of women workers.
mobh's review
challenging
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A powerful commentary on imperialism and post-colonialism in Africa with a strong female lead.