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cumami1999's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
One of the best short story collections I’ve read in a while
mpho3's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first published collection by Ugandan writer and filmmaker Dilman Dila and has served as my introduction to both forms of his storytelling. The opening story, "A Leafy Man," impressed me from the get-go but ends abruptly, and I felt others ended prematurely as well. Great idea though! Others that I enjoyed include the title story, which reminded me a bit of Ambrose Bierce's work, and "Okello's Honeymoon," which bears a Nollywood feel. That is not to imply that his work feels derivative because it doesn't. However his own voice spoke to me most clearly in two of the best in the collection, "Lights on Water” and a "A Wife and a Slave".
Some stories involve hive-minded alien species that have crash-landed on earth. Some are strictly fantasy, others are a blend of SF with elements of magic. All bear some form of political or social commentary, often turning his themes on their head. Or perhaps it's more that they aren't from a western viewpoint, which is the collection's strength.
Though he doesn't seem to subscribe to it, Dilman writes about colorism, albeit inverted so that advantage and acceptance is conferred upon those with darker skin tones. One thing I find profoundly interesting is that he writes of ill-treatment of monolithic Whites or Europeans as a wrong, i.e. the same wrong when undifferentiated people of African descent are monolithically ill-treated by Whites, but other stories feature individual White characters who are decidedly evil. Just as Dilman decries how “Africans” are lumped together by non-Africans, he also takes on Africans who do believe in one “African” culture that is superior to European/White culture, suggesting that doing so is prone to recreating the same bad outcomes perpetrated by Western culture except under the guise of being “African.”
I am on the fence on his depiction of women, suspecting that he does not respect them all the way. Rather they seem to create problems for the men either because they are too-strong willed or too meek, and in either case, easily brainwashed. Then he turns around and expresses admiration for Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, Stieg Larsson, Snow Patrol, J-Lo, Janet Jackson, Damien Rice, Missy Elliot, Queen Latifah, and [b:Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe|9375|Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe|Fannie Flagg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1165961740l/9375._SY75_.jpg|2129359], the latter of which tickled me to no end.
The morals of these stories are that people should be judged for who they are not what they are. Do watch out for autocrats, close-minded traditionalists, soldiers, Westerners bearing gifts and women. Believe in magic and witchcraft, art and science, aliens and Africa. And maybe women.
Check out his website for more fascinating insights and exposure to this unique writer. 3.5 stars
Some stories involve hive-minded alien species that have crash-landed on earth. Some are strictly fantasy, others are a blend of SF with elements of magic. All bear some form of political or social commentary, often turning his themes on their head. Or perhaps it's more that they aren't from a western viewpoint, which is the collection's strength.
Though he doesn't seem to subscribe to it, Dilman writes about colorism, albeit inverted so that advantage and acceptance is conferred upon those with darker skin tones. One thing I find profoundly interesting is that he writes of ill-treatment of monolithic Whites or Europeans as a wrong, i.e. the same wrong when undifferentiated people of African descent are monolithically ill-treated by Whites, but other stories feature individual White characters who are decidedly evil. Just as Dilman decries how “Africans” are lumped together by non-Africans, he also takes on Africans who do believe in one “African” culture that is superior to European/White culture, suggesting that doing so is prone to recreating the same bad outcomes perpetrated by Western culture except under the guise of being “African.”
I am on the fence on his depiction of women, suspecting that he does not respect them all the way. Rather they seem to create problems for the men either because they are too-strong willed or too meek, and in either case, easily brainwashed. Then he turns around and expresses admiration for Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, Stieg Larsson, Snow Patrol, J-Lo, Janet Jackson, Damien Rice, Missy Elliot, Queen Latifah, and [b:Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe|9375|Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe|Fannie Flagg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1165961740l/9375._SY75_.jpg|2129359], the latter of which tickled me to no end.
The morals of these stories are that people should be judged for who they are not what they are. Do watch out for autocrats, close-minded traditionalists, soldiers, Westerners bearing gifts and women. Believe in magic and witchcraft, art and science, aliens and Africa. And maybe women.
Check out his website for more fascinating insights and exposure to this unique writer. 3.5 stars
whatadutchgirlreads's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kateofmind's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
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