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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A tense and heart-wrenching story of a family torn apart by Ethiopia's revolution.
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book took me months to read, which is unusual for me. But that was because, as vivid a picture that is painted of each character and the family and how things begin to fall apart with the changing of the regime, the torture and terror and pain is just as vivid. So I read in small doses, and still, this was so compelling. It was a look into a time period I knew only a few facts about, but what it would mean to live within such times, that was portrayed both in its stark reality, and with the lyricality and emotion that I have come to associate with the Ethiopian culture.
I liked how this book follows many characters to tell their stories, and while this meant less time allotted to each, I did feel like I was invested in each one.
The connections and relationships this book explores were also fascinating. There were many if them, and yet they were so nuanced and all within the bigger context if this family. If I were to compare, I'd say this book was like throwing out a net and looking at all the fish it caught and their connections to each other, as opposed to dissecting a singular fish, as many more individual-focused books might do.
This book is definitely not for the faint of heart or stomach, but a very worthwhile read nonetheless. It asks good questions in the face of the stark reality of that time, questions thst will be haunting me for a while, I think.
The only criticism I have is the blurb on the back cover, a major plotpoint of the last part of the book is revealed there and I can't help but question if it would have had a bigger impact if I hadn't known about it from the beginning. So I wonder why that was done? Still, a great book, and even though I had the spoiler, seeing how the story built towards it happening was fascinating in itself. Very well-written book as well, it finds a good balance between the telling of the story and more lyrical sections.
I liked how this book follows many characters to tell their stories, and while this meant less time allotted to each, I did feel like I was invested in each one.
The connections and relationships this book explores were also fascinating. There were many if them, and yet they were so nuanced and all within the bigger context if this family. If I were to compare, I'd say this book was like throwing out a net and looking at all the fish it caught and their connections to each other, as opposed to dissecting a singular fish, as many more individual-focused books might do.
This book is definitely not for the faint of heart or stomach, but a very worthwhile read nonetheless. It asks good questions in the face of the stark reality of that time, questions thst will be haunting me for a while, I think.
The only criticism I have is the blurb on the back cover, a major plotpoint of the last part of the book is revealed there and I can't help but question if it would have had a bigger impact if I hadn't known about it from the beginning. So I wonder why that was done? Still, a great book, and even though I had the spoiler, seeing how the story built towards it happening was fascinating in itself. Very well-written book as well, it finds a good balance between the telling of the story and more lyrical sections.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation
Moderate: Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault
Not a book to read during a stressful time in your life.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I would normally never pick a book like this, it was assigned to me as a reading for my college class. It gives a different view of the horrors of rebellion. It offers a look into Ethiopia that most people from this side of the world never get. Would I read something like this of my own accord, most likely not, neither would I look for a similar book. The author weaves a tapestry of heartache, fear, pain, and hope. Good read.
This is a hard book, but a very important one. Covering multi-generations, the book covers Hailu and Selam, their sons Dawit and Yonas, Yonas’s wife Sara and his daughter Tizita as the main members of the family. Added to the mix is Dawit’s best friend Mickey, his girlfriend Sara, the housekeeper and her children, Haiku’s nurse, and many people on both sides of the war. The book demonstrates not only the horrors of Selassie’s rule, the Derg, and the revolution but also how each person’s background and personalities affect their responses.
It really is a sad book. But it made me so much more invested in continuing to learn and be informed about what’s going on in Ethiopia. And ultimately, I’d call a book a success for that reason alone.
Content warning for violence and physical and sexual abuse. Very prevalent throughout.
It really is a sad book. But it made me so much more invested in continuing to learn and be informed about what’s going on in Ethiopia. And ultimately, I’d call a book a success for that reason alone.
Content warning for violence and physical and sexual abuse. Very prevalent throughout.