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belovedsnail's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Absolutely searing look at the revolution in Ethiopia and the rule of the Derg. Brutally difficult to read but so hard to put down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Torture
Moderate: Rape
viis97's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thestarlessbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
100booksyearly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
An excellent historical fiction book written about the horrific dictatorship following Haile Selasse’s reign in Ethiopia. The book triggers your curiosity in regards to Ethiopia’s history. It is interesting to see the Emperor portrayed differently from what we hear from the Jamaican people who really worship him. It is a fantastic commentary on the ways in which a regime or an idea can become more powerful than- and sometimes counter- the intentions of the people involved in it, and the ways in which both oppressors and oppressed can be similarly fighting for survival.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
A very difficult book to read, thanks to the images of torture the author has included. The story of a nation's implosion under the twin forces of famine and military revolt, this novel reminded me how little we in the West talk about, or study, African countries.
I'm not sure why it was necessary to create a new character as a stand-in for Mengistu Haile Mariam, or to imagine the mental confusion of Emporer Hailie Salassi. The other characters (Hailu and his family, the soldiers, their neighbors) all seemed to be specific types, chosen to illustrate the varieties of behavior and beliefs during this sort of upheaval. The torture scenes, the divisions in the families and friendships, the horror that was the start of the Derg era - all are sadly reminiscent of other horrors in other countries. How we continue to go through these episodes is beyond me - we never seem to learn.
Copy provided by publisher.
I'm not sure why it was necessary to create a new character as a stand-in for Mengistu Haile Mariam, or to imagine the mental confusion of Emporer Hailie Salassi. The other characters (Hailu and his family, the soldiers, their neighbors) all seemed to be specific types, chosen to illustrate the varieties of behavior and beliefs during this sort of upheaval. The torture scenes, the divisions in the families and friendships, the horror that was the start of the Derg era - all are sadly reminiscent of other horrors in other countries. How we continue to go through these episodes is beyond me - we never seem to learn.
Copy provided by publisher.
anetq's review against another edition
3.0
I want to like this book, but I think [b:Half of a Yellow Sun|18749|Half of a Yellow Sun|Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327934717s/18749.jpg|1651408] ruined me...
I wanted to like this, and the first book was good, but in the second book, as we shift from the close family drama to the broader political scene the characters seem stiff and cliché to me. Historically this is interesting, but I think I'm strugling with two things: 1) I'm not really into "historical family drama"-novels 2) Sorry to say, but having just read the awesome Half of a Yellow Sun - this just seems like a weak attempt at the same thing. But with shallower cliché characters, and more pompous style in drama and language. I spot the same roles, but not done as elegantly. Also so far no interesting speaking parts for women in this play (dying or worried about family) - 160 pages in not passing a Bechdel test. On the good side the story made me read up on the strange story of Emperor Haile Selassie and his god-like status to the rastafarians.
As a tale of the Ethiopian revolution, civil war and/or horrific regime it is very efficient. As the tale of a family struggling through a war is is not as wellformed. Somehow it seems a little schematic to me: One for, one against, one who ends up shooting the emperor, one who is the centre of a rebel attack... all rolled into a family of 4 - more or less. So while the portrayal of the horrors of war, and the unmerciful randomness of who lives or dies in the chaos is very good (if good is an appropriate word here), the storyline of the novel does not capture me. And to be honest; I might have been a lot more impressed if I hadn't been so taken with Half of Yellow Sun - making this seem to me like a vague attempt at the same, but less successful.
I wanted to like this, and the first book was good, but in the second book, as we shift from the close family drama to the broader political scene the characters seem stiff and cliché to me. Historically this is interesting, but I think I'm strugling with two things: 1) I'm not really into "historical family drama"-novels 2) Sorry to say, but having just read the awesome Half of a Yellow Sun - this just seems like a weak attempt at the same thing. But with shallower cliché characters, and more pompous style in drama and language. I spot the same roles, but not done as elegantly. Also so far no interesting speaking parts for women in this play (dying or worried about family) - 160 pages in not passing a Bechdel test. On the good side the story made me read up on the strange story of Emperor Haile Selassie and his god-like status to the rastafarians.
As a tale of the Ethiopian revolution, civil war and/or horrific regime it is very efficient. As the tale of a family struggling through a war is is not as wellformed. Somehow it seems a little schematic to me: One for, one against, one who ends up shooting the emperor, one who is the centre of a rebel attack... all rolled into a family of 4 - more or less. So while the portrayal of the horrors of war, and the unmerciful randomness of who lives or dies in the chaos is very good (if good is an appropriate word here), the storyline of the novel does not capture me. And to be honest; I might have been a lot more impressed if I hadn't been so taken with Half of Yellow Sun - making this seem to me like a vague attempt at the same, but less successful.
jeankwemoi's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautiful written story which tags one’s heart and triggers your curiosity in regards to Ethiopia’s history. It was interesting to see The Emperor portrayed differently from what we hear from the Jamaican people who really worship him. The book is very descriptive, it engages all your senses. I would highly recommend
lakerss12's review against another edition
5.0
I was originally supposed to read this book fall of 2019 for my African Politics & Government class. I remembered the overall plot details fairly well, but reading it I was so entranced by the book. I really just loved all of the characters. Story about Dr Hailu, Dawit, Sara, Yonas, etc during the Dergs early years. I really don’t think I could be as brave as the characters were, it was so impressive to me their sacrifices and I just don’t think I’m at that same caliber truthfully. Nevertheless, I loved it and it really propels me to read more African fiction.