Reviews tagging 'Racism'

How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue

18 reviews

mariekeroos's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Child death, Colonisation, and Racism

Moderate: Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Police brutality, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping

kiandrareadsbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Grief, Death, Genocide, Murder, Colonisation, Police brutality, Classism, and Racism

blubonby's review against another edition

I was really gripped by this book whilst reading the first few chapters but unfortunately I started to struggle reading because the chapters were so long, the story moves very slowly and you’re reading about a very realistic and truly horrific situation that this village is stuck in. 
I do think that although i struggled it’s a book that i’d like to try again in the future, most likely with the audiobook version instead, because it is a really interesting and thought provoking story   

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Child death, and Colonisation

Moderate: Gun violence

maddierose_m's review against another edition

reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This was beautiful. EASY five stars. I hope this gorgeous book becomes required reading. It is a beautiful but sad description of the impacts of America and Europe on African cultures. It demands reflection and honesty. I HIGHLY recommend this book to any and everyone.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death and Racism

booksonadventures's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

“If not for solidarity, what would we do with all this anger.”

This stunning novel introduces a chorus of voices in the fictional town of Kosawa, where big oil company Pexton has destroyed the land and lives of the local community. Frustrated by their inability to protect their families, the people decide to take drastic action, kidnapping some of Pexton's men to demand their health and safety be taken seriously. 

Starting this book felt like a punch in the gut, but the writing drew me in completely. I'm not usually one to shy away from heavy books, and I tend to feel a sense of responsibility to bear witness to the harm and exploitation "Western" countries have caused, but I knew this story wouldn't be easy. The environmental racism described here is infuriating. Mbue uses a variety of first person perspectives, but perhaps the most heart-wrenching is the collective (we) voices of the village children. 

And yet... How Beautiful We Were transcends trauma. Mbue deftly explores the balance of greed, guilt, and grief that surround capitalism and colonialism. And yes, this is heavy and slow-paced but there's power in the way Mbue gives a voice to the people and plants the seeds for a better future. 

How Beautiful We Were is a reminder that although the world makes me so damn angry, there’s strength in solidarity and power in resistance even when it feels futile. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Violence, Death of parent, Child death, Police brutality, and Racism

plumquin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Violence, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Racism, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Murder, Mass/school shootings, Kidnapping, and Grief

Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Rape, Fire/Fire injury, and Genocide

Minor: Stalking, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Infertility, Infidelity, Alcohol, Body shaming, and Homophobia

kayleyhyde's review

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-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? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Child death, and Grief

Moderate: Death of parent, Miscarriage, Violence, and Gun violence

Minor: Torture, Infertility, Racism, and Blood

livmm's review

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Gun violence, and Mass/school shootings

Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism

Minor: Homophobia, Incest, Pedophilia, and Slavery