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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I’m not entirely sure what I just read, but I did enjoy it
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lyrical and tragic. I’m blown away by the author’s ability to convey so much meaning in such a short book. I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing about it and not having any expectations about what this book should be made what it is so much more powerful. For this reason I won’t say anything about the specifics of the book other than that it is somehow both grotesque and beautiful in its ability to explore the human psyche. To me there is no question this book was beyond deserving of the 2021 International Booker Prize.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Our narrator, Alfa, and his childhood friend, Madamba, enlist as ‘chocolat soldiers’ in WW1 to fight alongside the French. Alfa recalls the traumatic events leading up to the death of his close friend. Torn between a sense of duty and loyalty, Alfa refuses to end Madamba’s suffering when he is fatally injured and it is this that sends him mad. He begins a crusade of twisted revenge/justice for Madamba that begins to terrify the other soldiers.
I always enjoy books that give voice to an otherwise unheard narrative. I had no idea the Senegalese even fought in WW1, so I appreciate the insight.
The first half of the book was brilliant. Alfa’s decent into madness was superbly written. The second half of the book lacked the punch I was hoping for, though. The backwards timeline served no real purpose and left the book on a flat note.
I always enjoy books that give voice to an otherwise unheard narrative. I had no idea the Senegalese even fought in WW1, so I appreciate the insight.
The first half of the book was brilliant. Alfa’s decent into madness was superbly written. The second half of the book lacked the punch I was hoping for, though. The backwards timeline served no real purpose and left the book on a flat note.
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
tense
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, War
Moderate: Rape
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes