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ollie_again's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, War, Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual violence, Gun violence, Rape, and Torture
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
dominika_zimny's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
t0mmm0's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
juli_sophiex's review
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
the_hope_guy's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the best books I have ever read. Mainly because it delivers such strong messages through tongue-in-cheek narrative and storyline.
This is a book about globalisation and the lasting legacy of colonialism.
The book employs a plethora of different characters to give life to various aspects of modern-day Congo that can become banal through the prism of NGO reports. Best of all is the application of euphemistic language of the market to daily life. The mineral wealth of Congo that drives conflict is not just in the ground, it pervades the book through language, through food and through the protagonists lives.
This is a book about globalisation and the lasting legacy of colonialism.
The book employs a plethora of different characters to give life to various aspects of modern-day Congo that can become banal through the prism of NGO reports. Best of all is the application of euphemistic language of the market to daily life. The mineral wealth of Congo that drives conflict is not just in the ground, it pervades the book through language, through food and through the protagonists lives.
yc0210's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Whirlwind colonial epic tragedy, rich character cast
valodniece's review
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A very illuminating look on the history and present day reality of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and how it has been brutalized by the imperialist powers. Which is why it bothers me that the Bad White Guy was for some reason Lithuanian - Lithuania is not and has not, from what I've been able to find, part of the MONUSCO mission, and is a country that's also experienced recent imperialist and colonialist violence. So such a portrayal is offensive to Eastern Europeans who have no involvement in the region. Better to have this character be Belgian or French or from some other imperialist state.
leasaurusrex's review against another edition
1.0
Je suis passée complètement à côté de ce roman, heureusement qu’il n’était pas long à lire.
J’ai trouvé le style pompeux, les personnages vides, les ressorts narratifs lourds. On balance sans cesse entre l’horreur la plus crue et l’absurdité.
Je n’irai pas plus loin dans ma critique, je comprends pourquoi il a pu plaire, mais ce n’est pas un succès pour ma part.
J’ai trouvé le style pompeux, les personnages vides, les ressorts narratifs lourds. On balance sans cesse entre l’horreur la plus crue et l’absurdité.
Je n’irai pas plus loin dans ma critique, je comprends pourquoi il a pu plaire, mais ce n’est pas un succès pour ma part.
bougainvillea's review against another edition
3.0
This man can write. The plot did not always keep my attention -- maybe too many characters and storylines? -- but sharp writing. And so many truths. Un livre difficile à lire dans beaucoup d'endroits, surtout en ce qui concerne la description de la violence, physique et sexuelle, oui, mais aussi la violence de l'impérialisme. J'ai longtemps remarqué (dans les textes littéraires) les similarités entre Haiti et Congo-Brazza. Ce roman me révèle qu'en fait les similarités sont entre Haiti et Congo tout court. Hallucinant.