Reviews

Boy! by Ferdinand Oyono

judesbookcorner's review against another edition

3.0

Overall I thought this was very well written and that the development of Toundi as he grows older. The style of writing changes in parallel with his life which I thought was really clever. I think the book lacked character development but that was not the point of the novella. I gave this three stars because enjoyment is the most important thing when reading and I wasn't gripped on the story. I had to read this for one of my modules for uni and it was definitely good at fulfilling the purpose of detailing the Colonial household. I wouldn't read it again, but for such a short book I thought it gave a good insight into the colonial household.

wrightemmar's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad 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

4.5

lisaslibrary's review against another edition

3.0

The Houseboy paints a portrait of the reality of French colonialism in Cameroon, told through the diary entries of Toundi, a houseboy for a wealthy white family. The treatment the native Cameroonians is despicable, and this book highlights just how nasty their oppressors were: the forced conversion to Christianity, the horrible treatment of the Cameroonians, and the blatant and rampant racism, to name a few examples. The abuse and the atrocities described were very sobering to read.

The Houseboy was enlightening, historical, and very depressing, but in a realistic way, not in a contrived tragedy way. It made me realize how little I know about the colonization of different parts of Africa: I learned a lot from this little book.

danabrown's review against another edition

5.0

I picked this little book up at a used bookstore, took a quick look at Goodreads, and took it home for $3. It was a good decision. It’s an important story, concise and effective. It’s the story of a houseboy who doesn’t play the “game” as well as he could because he’s still a decent human, unlike those in control.

readermonica's review against another edition

4.0

I'm having a bit of a hard time rating this one. Toundi's story is troubling but engaging. The things that Toundi accepts as just a part of life as a black boy in Cameroon during this time period is sad and frustrating. The malice and pettiness that impacts Toundi's daily life from a young age made me want to grind my teeth just reading the descriptions. The story is told well but the ending is pretty abrupt. There is more that I would have like to have gotten in order for the story to come full circle. I kind of understand why it ended the way it did because Toundi was unable to continue the diary, but man I would like to have gotten the last leg of the journey for Toundi. Yet, I am very glad to have read this story. Full review to come.

kyltra's review against another edition

3.0

“Brother, what are we? What are we blackmen who are called French?”

audreylee's review against another edition

3.0

"My ancestors were cannibals. Since the white men came we have learnt other men must not be looked upon as animals." However, they had to relearn the truth from those same white people. A very short, very potent book. The writing/translation was simplistic with some transcription errors but still effective.