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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
beautiful
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Silence Is My Mother Tongue is Sulaiman Addonia's second novel and it's an impassioned one at that. It perfectly highlights the sheer power books can have on those who choose to pick them up and the impact and indelible imprint they can leave on their readers. I feel that one of the reasons this novel moved me so much is due to its authenticity and the beautifully painted characters. This is a simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming tale which shows that even in times of extreme adversity wonderful things can flourish. Set in an East African refugee camp, it follows the trials and tribulations of Saba, a young woman who is trying to care for her mute brother Hagos in such a tough landscape. As the author spent time in a refugee camp I feel we get a realistic view from an inside source.
I can't begin to imagine the fear of the unknown that is bound to be at the forefront of the mind of those who are forced to leave the only place they've ever called home to move to a foreign land where everything works differently, leaving everything behind. The language barrier and inability to effectively communicate with anyone but those you travelled with would also be one of the biggest hardships. As immigration seems to be on everyone's mind at the moment, this is an inspired time to publish such a title. The hardship and harsh living conditions illustrate that even in the most hostile of places, love can develop.
This is one of the best books I've ever had the pleasure to read, and even long after finishing reading it has been on my mind. Addonia is a superb storyteller, and there was nothing I didn't like about the story. A simply unforgettable read. Powerful, inspirational and a tale of strength and survival. Both the exquisite prose and the searingly, emotive story will capture your heart. Make no mistake, this is a novel you will remember for a long time to come. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Alex at The Indigo Press for sending me a copy. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I can't begin to imagine the fear of the unknown that is bound to be at the forefront of the mind of those who are forced to leave the only place they've ever called home to move to a foreign land where everything works differently, leaving everything behind. The language barrier and inability to effectively communicate with anyone but those you travelled with would also be one of the biggest hardships. As immigration seems to be on everyone's mind at the moment, this is an inspired time to publish such a title. The hardship and harsh living conditions illustrate that even in the most hostile of places, love can develop.
This is one of the best books I've ever had the pleasure to read, and even long after finishing reading it has been on my mind. Addonia is a superb storyteller, and there was nothing I didn't like about the story. A simply unforgettable read. Powerful, inspirational and a tale of strength and survival. Both the exquisite prose and the searingly, emotive story will capture your heart. Make no mistake, this is a novel you will remember for a long time to come. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Alex at The Indigo Press for sending me a copy. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
dark
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to Graywolf Press for an advance copy of this title in exchange for an honest review (pub date Sept 8, 2020)--
Oof---okay: Sulaiman Addonia's novel Silence is My Mother Tongue is a difficult read about life in a refugee camp (CW: sexual assault and abuse), but it's also a gloriously subversive text about a young woman rebelling against conservative misogyny.
Oof---okay: Sulaiman Addonia's novel Silence is My Mother Tongue is a difficult read about life in a refugee camp (CW: sexual assault and abuse), but it's also a gloriously subversive text about a young woman rebelling against conservative misogyny.
Like the author, the book's main character Saba is both Eritrean and Ethiopian; she flees to a refugee camp in Sudan with her mother and brother Hagos after violent political unrest. The book opens with Saba on trial for a horrible crime against her brother. The narrative then backtracks to the family's arrival at the camp and gradually unravels the truth about Saba and Hagos' unconventional relationship.
Both Saba and Hagos buck traditional gender roles and norms. Hagos is mute, so he's often perceived as submissive, and he likes housework and dressing Saba in the femme clothes of his choosing. Saba wants to be a doctor and is concerned about the lack of school in the camp. She's also often subject to the ire and violence of the local midwife, who thinks Saba acts inappropriately for a woman. After Hagos befriends a local businessman and Saba receives a marriage proposal, the siblings make an unusual decision in order to protect each other.
Despite the horror and loss of author Addonia's narrative of displacement, the book ultimately lands on a hopeful note about how outliers can band together and use their differences to survive tough times.
3.5 stars
Thank you to @theindigopress for gifting me this copy of Silence is My Mother Tongue by Sulaiman Addonia!
.
This book centres around a group of refugees in a refugee camp, and explores the dynamics of such a place, addressing themes of sexism, ableism and sexuality. There were some absolutely beautiful passages concerning sexuality, and I love how the main character Saba takes control of her own desires and needs!
.
I do think though, that the author has a bit of a problem with telling instead of showing. Two characters will have a meaningful exchange or interaction, and although the message is clear, there’ll then be a clarifying sentence to explain the moral, which sort of undermines the impact. It can even come across as a bit patronising, as if the reader can’t figure out from context what’s being put across.
.
But Addonia’s own experiences in a refugee camp definitely shine through, I think he nails the atmosphere, and I also enjoyed his portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in an environment where it’s taboo. Very compelling!
.
And again, I have to reiterate how beautifully written a lot of passages are, which (at the risk of sounding patronising myself here) is even more commendable given that the author learned English as a foreign language as a teenager!
Thank you to @theindigopress for gifting me this copy of Silence is My Mother Tongue by Sulaiman Addonia!
.
This book centres around a group of refugees in a refugee camp, and explores the dynamics of such a place, addressing themes of sexism, ableism and sexuality. There were some absolutely beautiful passages concerning sexuality, and I love how the main character Saba takes control of her own desires and needs!
.
I do think though, that the author has a bit of a problem with telling instead of showing. Two characters will have a meaningful exchange or interaction, and although the message is clear, there’ll then be a clarifying sentence to explain the moral, which sort of undermines the impact. It can even come across as a bit patronising, as if the reader can’t figure out from context what’s being put across.
.
But Addonia’s own experiences in a refugee camp definitely shine through, I think he nails the atmosphere, and I also enjoyed his portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in an environment where it’s taboo. Very compelling!
.
And again, I have to reiterate how beautifully written a lot of passages are, which (at the risk of sounding patronising myself here) is even more commendable given that the author learned English as a foreign language as a teenager!