Reviews

The Bead Collector by Sefi Atta

lipglossmaffia's review against another edition

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2.0

I never thought a day would come that I wouldn't enjoy a Sefi Atta book but here we are. This novel was lacking that oomph that I've gotten used to in Atta's writing. Or maybe I've outgrown her. Is that possible? I don't know. I'm just sad that I didn't enjoy this book

sinikiwe07's review against another edition

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  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

abbie_'s review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I really enjoyed the first book I read by Atta (Everything Good Will Come) so I was a bit disappointed that I wasn’t as emotionally attached to The Bead Collector. I appreciated the political backdrop, set in Lagos as the country approaches a countercoup in 1976, and Atta deftly outlines the way Nigerians felt about their own country at this time. But I wasn’t really invested in the story itself. There’s a lot of drama and it’s sort of a mish mash of soap opera and political drama!

My copy was gifted by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
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