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africanbookaddict's review against another edition
5.0
http://africanbookaddict.wordpress.com/2014/07/21/one-day-i-will-write-about-this-place-a-memoir-by-binyavanga-wainaina/
Amazing memoir. I loved every bit of it!! I watched a lot of interviews with Binyavanga, so when I was reading the book, I read it in his voice and it made my reading experience even more enjoyable, haaha. (We read his "How To Write About Africa" essay when I was in college and I enjoyed his satire..). I loved how he took us through his life as a child, his secondary school years, university life to present day. I loved his relationship with his sister Ciru. It was touching to me...they almost seemed like twins. I loved the grace of his Mom. I appreciated the struggles he faced in finding himself in university in SA. I loved the way he played with sounds and words throughout the book - 'kimay'! I loved the references to a lot of pop culture- from Lauryn Hill's afro, to OutKast's wardrobe, Lionel Richie, Brenda Fassie.
Before I read the book, I read reviews on how readers found it a bit choppy and not an easy read to get through, but I didn't find it difficult or choppy at all. In the beginning, it may have seemed that way because we were encountering the young, immature, happy-go-lucky, very jovial Binyavanga. The writing style seemed appropriate, as we read through the mind of a young, privileged boy who just enjoyed reading books, imagining random patterns in the sky, day-dreamed and had a somewhat scatter-brain. Which youngster isn't like this anyways? I gained more interest in Biyavanga after he came out to the world earlier this year on being homosexual. I found it quite brave and admirable- Live your truth!
I learned a lot about Kenya and the ethnic group issues they face, especially during elections etc. It was familiar to me, as Ghana and other African nations face these issues as well. I loved that I got to learn about Kenya from a middle-class, Kenyan male stand point as well- instead of the village life stories that a lot of African novels are based on -_-.
It is an overall amazing, hilarious book. I would totally be-friend Biyavanga. He's very cool :)
[I look forward to reading the Africa39 book in October of this year, a project started by Binyavanga Wainaina]
Amazing memoir. I loved every bit of it!! I watched a lot of interviews with Binyavanga, so when I was reading the book, I read it in his voice and it made my reading experience even more enjoyable, haaha. (We read his "How To Write About Africa" essay when I was in college and I enjoyed his satire..). I loved how he took us through his life as a child, his secondary school years, university life to present day. I loved his relationship with his sister Ciru. It was touching to me...they almost seemed like twins. I loved the grace of his Mom. I appreciated the struggles he faced in finding himself in university in SA. I loved the way he played with sounds and words throughout the book - 'kimay'! I loved the references to a lot of pop culture- from Lauryn Hill's afro, to OutKast's wardrobe, Lionel Richie, Brenda Fassie.
Before I read the book, I read reviews on how readers found it a bit choppy and not an easy read to get through, but I didn't find it difficult or choppy at all. In the beginning, it may have seemed that way because we were encountering the young, immature, happy-go-lucky, very jovial Binyavanga. The writing style seemed appropriate, as we read through the mind of a young, privileged boy who just enjoyed reading books, imagining random patterns in the sky, day-dreamed and had a somewhat scatter-brain. Which youngster isn't like this anyways? I gained more interest in Biyavanga after he came out to the world earlier this year on being homosexual. I found it quite brave and admirable- Live your truth!
I learned a lot about Kenya and the ethnic group issues they face, especially during elections etc. It was familiar to me, as Ghana and other African nations face these issues as well. I loved that I got to learn about Kenya from a middle-class, Kenyan male stand point as well- instead of the village life stories that a lot of African novels are based on -_-.
It is an overall amazing, hilarious book. I would totally be-friend Biyavanga. He's very cool :)
[I look forward to reading the Africa39 book in October of this year, a project started by Binyavanga Wainaina]
soniapage's review against another edition
1.0
Got about halfway through this audio book but just couldn't get interested.
ebony_s's review
4.0
I paused this book for a long while, and in hindsight I feel it is best read in a single sitting. The flow of the writing is so poetic and distinct that you really must fully immerse yourself to appreciate Wainaina’s storytelling ability.
Memories are written with such atmosphere that you feel transported into these moments as if they were your own. There is certainly a dreamlike quality to these anecdotes. Warming and visceral.
Memories are written with such atmosphere that you feel transported into these moments as if they were your own. There is certainly a dreamlike quality to these anecdotes. Warming and visceral.
audaciaray's review
2.0
The sentences are beautiful. Fragments are really lucid and lush and amazing. But overall it felt kinda meh. For a memoir, the author wasnt very open or giving. I felt constantly held at arms length, and like I didn't get to know the writer in any depth.
marisamoo's review against another edition
3.0
read for history of Africa class. a good memoir, lots to discuss from a historical standpoint, just not a fave!