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mellabella's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't really enjoy this book when I started reading it. But the tide turned. About 20 pages in, I started to get to know the characters. After that, I couldn't put it down. 4 African women, all running from or coming from different (sometimes tragic) circumstances meet a man named Dele. Dele is a human trafficker. I despised his character. We go from Sisi, to Efe, to Ama to Joyce (real name Alek)hearing their stories and what lead them to meet Dele and trade their old lives for a new one in prostitution. The women work in Belgium's Red Light District. Antwerp to be exact. They are controlled and watched by a madam. The book isn't as bleak as it sounds. There is humor and a sense of hope in three of the characters. I was disappointed that Sisi died. Sad that she couldn't continue on and share her life with Luc. But, her murder was realitic. The ending was perfect.
aguaa's review against another edition
4.0
great storytelling, heartbreaking story
"'back home in nigeria,' it occurs to efe, and she says this out loud, 'neighbours would have gathered to cry with us. nobody will let you cry alone!' here their grief has to be contained within the four walls of their flat. no matter how large it becomes for them, they must not let it swell and crack the walls. efe recalls when her mother died. neighbours had come to cry with them. their mother's sister had come to live with them for two weeks, helping with the cooking and the cleaning. after she went back to warri, where she lived, the neighbours had taken over, cooking and looking after the family, even helping with the laundry and shopping, until her father's drink made him obnoxious and difficult to help. he took umbrage at the neighbours' help, sometimes shouting at them that he did not need their pity, his dead wife was three times the women they were. he screamed at them, 'get away from my family. get out of my home. i don't want you near my children. witches.' the women shut their ears to him, saying, 'poor man, he can't handle his wife's death. her death has broken him into pieces, he is not who he used to be. poor papa efe.' so they ignored him and kept coming with their offerings of food and companionship, which the children were grateful for, having been left with a father who was drinking more and more."
"'i like the way 'incredulity' and 'epoch' dey drip commot from the mouth. i like the way things wey dey opposite, salt and pepper, dey side by side. best of times. worst of times. light and darkness. it make me tink. tink say how dat for happen? and when i read am, i jus' wan write like dat. words wey fine so like butterfly, fine sotay person go wan' read am again and again.' her voice dims and she sighs. 'but dat one no go happen now.'"
"'back home in nigeria,' it occurs to efe, and she says this out loud, 'neighbours would have gathered to cry with us. nobody will let you cry alone!' here their grief has to be contained within the four walls of their flat. no matter how large it becomes for them, they must not let it swell and crack the walls. efe recalls when her mother died. neighbours had come to cry with them. their mother's sister had come to live with them for two weeks, helping with the cooking and the cleaning. after she went back to warri, where she lived, the neighbours had taken over, cooking and looking after the family, even helping with the laundry and shopping, until her father's drink made him obnoxious and difficult to help. he took umbrage at the neighbours' help, sometimes shouting at them that he did not need their pity, his dead wife was three times the women they were. he screamed at them, 'get away from my family. get out of my home. i don't want you near my children. witches.' the women shut their ears to him, saying, 'poor man, he can't handle his wife's death. her death has broken him into pieces, he is not who he used to be. poor papa efe.' so they ignored him and kept coming with their offerings of food and companionship, which the children were grateful for, having been left with a father who was drinking more and more."
"'i like the way 'incredulity' and 'epoch' dey drip commot from the mouth. i like the way things wey dey opposite, salt and pepper, dey side by side. best of times. worst of times. light and darkness. it make me tink. tink say how dat for happen? and when i read am, i jus' wan write like dat. words wey fine so like butterfly, fine sotay person go wan' read am again and again.' her voice dims and she sighs. 'but dat one no go happen now.'"
moogen's review against another edition
3.0
This novel was a mixed bag. The writing was inconsistent. It soared at times but it could also be ham fisted. The structure was too easy, straining credulity. And the ending was telegraphed. But if the ratings system allowed I'd give it a 3.5.
sadiereadsagain's review against another edition
4.0
This book puts into words why the only real area in my feminism that I struggle with is the world of sex work. Whilst I accept that there are many of those who work in that industry who do so willingly, safely and with autonomy, it is the stories of the others who are not so privileged that make me very angry and upset. And does your average punter know the difference? Do they care? Does the legitimate side of the industry add a legitimacy to this other side that simply should not be there? The women in this book are slaves, trafficked people are slaves, but often they are hidden in such plain sight and possibly mingled in with those who are not so shackled that it must be easy for so many to deny to themselves and others that there is a problem. But there is a problem, and it's huge. And whilst that problem exists, can anyone - even the willing - be safe, respected or completely free of exploitation?
This book is about four women - three Nigerian and one Sudanese via Nigeria - who have found themselves in the red light district of Antwerp, working as prostitutes in the hopes of one day paying off the huge amount their pimp claims they owe him in order to buy their freedom. One of the women is found dead, and the others find themselves opening up to one another in a way they never have before. Slowly, we are allowed into their stories: stories of who they once were, of what they have faced in their lives, and of how they came to be in Belgium. The umbrella over these shared memories is the story of the dead woman - how a promising, educated young woman who strove to escape the poverty and hardship of her upbringing ended up dead, unknown by her real name, thousands of miles from home.
This is a powerful book which covers a lot of painful subjects, not least sexual abuse. None of these women have a inspiring story to tell, and have found themselves in this space between a rock and a hard place due to war, incest, poverty, parental alcoholism and neglect. There are massacred families, children separated from mothers, dysfunctional families and story after story of men raping, abusing and using women.
I shouldn't have been able to keep reading, or at least not been compelled to. But I was. And I think that was down to the sense of being in the story myself. Whilst the writing itself is fine, it isn't spellbinding. But where Unigwe really excels in is dialogue, particularly the balance of English and the spoken Pidgin language of Nigeria. It really sparks and feels (at least to me, a white western woman who has never been to Nigeria) so authentic that you feel as if you are genuinely overhearing a conversation not meant for you as a reader to be part of. It was this that made me feel connected to the characters, to really want to know their stories even though they were hard to read.
This book really hit the mark in my eyes, because it is compelling, whilst holding out some horrible realities which the world needs to be paying more attention to.
This book is about four women - three Nigerian and one Sudanese via Nigeria - who have found themselves in the red light district of Antwerp, working as prostitutes in the hopes of one day paying off the huge amount their pimp claims they owe him in order to buy their freedom. One of the women is found dead, and the others find themselves opening up to one another in a way they never have before. Slowly, we are allowed into their stories: stories of who they once were, of what they have faced in their lives, and of how they came to be in Belgium. The umbrella over these shared memories is the story of the dead woman - how a promising, educated young woman who strove to escape the poverty and hardship of her upbringing ended up dead, unknown by her real name, thousands of miles from home.
This is a powerful book which covers a lot of painful subjects, not least sexual abuse. None of these women have a inspiring story to tell, and have found themselves in this space between a rock and a hard place due to war, incest, poverty, parental alcoholism and neglect. There are massacred families, children separated from mothers, dysfunctional families and story after story of men raping, abusing and using women.
I shouldn't have been able to keep reading, or at least not been compelled to. But I was. And I think that was down to the sense of being in the story myself. Whilst the writing itself is fine, it isn't spellbinding. But where Unigwe really excels in is dialogue, particularly the balance of English and the spoken Pidgin language of Nigeria. It really sparks and feels (at least to me, a white western woman who has never been to Nigeria) so authentic that you feel as if you are genuinely overhearing a conversation not meant for you as a reader to be part of. It was this that made me feel connected to the characters, to really want to know their stories even though they were hard to read.
This book really hit the mark in my eyes, because it is compelling, whilst holding out some horrible realities which the world needs to be paying more attention to.
anna_near's review against another edition
4.0
A beautifully crafted novel that delves into the lives of four women who desperately leave Africa in hopes of a better life, only to be met with more trauma and pain. "On Black Sisters Street" by Chika Unigwe is a compelling exploration of resilience, friendship, and the pursuit of dreams.
The characters come to life through Unigwe's vivid and empathetic prose. From the bold and determined Sisi to the vulnerable and introspective Ama, each woman's journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Unigwe doesn't shy away from delving into the challenges they face as Nigerian sex workers, but she treats their stories with sensitivity and nuance.
Probably my favorite part of the book was the girl's sisterhood. As the four women's lives become intertwined, their bond becomes a source of strength and support. Unigwe showcases the power of solidarity in the face of adversity, and it's just so beautiful.
The character development was done well and in a really addicting way. There were times when the pacing got on my nerves, but it was impossible to dnf.
The characters come to life through Unigwe's vivid and empathetic prose. From the bold and determined Sisi to the vulnerable and introspective Ama, each woman's journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Unigwe doesn't shy away from delving into the challenges they face as Nigerian sex workers, but she treats their stories with sensitivity and nuance.
Probably my favorite part of the book was the girl's sisterhood. As the four women's lives become intertwined, their bond becomes a source of strength and support. Unigwe showcases the power of solidarity in the face of adversity, and it's just so beautiful.
The character development was done well and in a really addicting way. There were times when the pacing got on my nerves, but it was impossible to dnf.
haniluta's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Rape, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Racism, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Misogyny, Genocide, and Colonisation
waniojeniyi's review against another edition
5.0
The book takes us into the lives of casual sex workers, sold into the slavery of their trade either by choice or life’s circumstances. These four women are joined together by the casual (or not so casual) occasion of life throwing at them circumstances simply beyond their control at the time.
Living together, each person hardly knowing anything about the next; yet having unavoidable fights all the time was the life of these four women.
As is always the case, there was one to whom all the other women had a connection, and just as they were to discover just how to live and survive as women struggling together, she is taken away from them.
This is a sad but enlightening book and I loved it.
Living together, each person hardly knowing anything about the next; yet having unavoidable fights all the time was the life of these four women.
As is always the case, there was one to whom all the other women had a connection, and just as they were to discover just how to live and survive as women struggling together, she is taken away from them.
This is a sad but enlightening book and I loved it.
dee_nabwire's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book was dark and really sad. I found myself pausing several times just to take it all in. Alek’s story in particular was so sad.
I enjoyed the writing but I felt it was a bit rushed towards the end, and it would honestly have been nice to see justice served for the women in one way or another. But I guess that’s just the reality of life.
I enjoyed the writing but I felt it was a bit rushed towards the end, and it would honestly have been nice to see justice served for the women in one way or another. But I guess that’s just the reality of life.
serian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I can't say that I enjoyed reading this because the subject matter is very bleak, but I thought lots about it was very well done. I wanted to keep reading it and to understand the characters and their backgrounds. I'd definitely read other books by Unigwe.
That said, I didn't think it quite lived up to its potential - certain bits felt a bit too clumsy or rushed through, and you didn't get the time with the characters that they deserved. The reveal didn't have the impact I think it could have.
That said, I didn't think it quite lived up to its potential - certain bits felt a bit too clumsy or rushed through, and you didn't get the time with the characters that they deserved. The reveal didn't have the impact I think it could have.