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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
3.5 stars.
Read without placing it in relevant contexts, this book will seem nothing special. The writing reminds me of R. K. Narayan, which if I refuse to think beyond that would put me off. But there's a reason why the writing of Ngugi's first English novel and R. K. Narayan's work in English is so simple and direct. There's a reason why their stories aren't all that special. They bring to life the first generation of what was to evolve into proper postcolonial literature. There's power in that. Maybe it's the lit student in me talking, but you gotta value that power. You just do.
Read without placing it in relevant contexts, this book will seem nothing special. The writing reminds me of R. K. Narayan, which if I refuse to think beyond that would put me off. But there's a reason why the writing of Ngugi's first English novel and R. K. Narayan's work in English is so simple and direct. There's a reason why their stories aren't all that special. They bring to life the first generation of what was to evolve into proper postcolonial literature. There's power in that. Maybe it's the lit student in me talking, but you gotta value that power. You just do.
Really impactful book with clear eyed and urgent story-telling. The way larger context and circumstance turns the lives of the characters upside down is devastating. Definitely felt like a good place to start with Thiong'o.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read for school so that sucks some of the joy. Overall easy read and very captivating plot. Somewhat non traditional writing style which I enjoyed but was also sometimes confused, also probably should have read up on a little Kenyan history to get the full experience
Behöver läsa mer av Ngũgĩ innan jag kan säga något om honom - denna var så tydligt en debutroman. Fina punkter och stunder men med många skavanker, särskilt vad gäller karakterisering.
Skildringen av förtryck fick mig att tänka på en av Farrokhzads formuleringar: Det enda språk du kan fördöma förgripelsen på är förgriparens språk / och förgriparens språk är ett språk som uppfanns för att rättfärdiga förgripelsen.
Skildringen av förtryck fick mig att tänka på en av Farrokhzads formuleringar: Det enda språk du kan fördöma förgripelsen på är förgriparens språk / och förgriparens språk är ett språk som uppfanns för att rättfärdiga förgripelsen.
challenging
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thiong'o writes simply, impressing upon the reader the societal landscape of Kenya and its approaching changes. He explores the dynamics of family, employment, hierarchy, education, and disenfranchisement.
For Njoroge, going to school and receiving an education is a dream come true as well as a way to provide an easier existence for his family. But as the political unrest grows, he begins to question what he doesn't know and how he can play a role in the future that is coming.
Thiong'o has chosen to tell a story where those who have always been on the land are now relegated to working for those who have benefited from a system set up to steal and redistribute ancestral lands for the profit of the crown.
He clearly depicts the tactics of fear and segregation that the white man uses to cement their colonial thievery against the spirit of a people willing to rise up and fight for their right.
For Njoroge, going to school and receiving an education is a dream come true as well as a way to provide an easier existence for his family. But as the political unrest grows, he begins to question what he doesn't know and how he can play a role in the future that is coming.
Thiong'o has chosen to tell a story where those who have always been on the land are now relegated to working for those who have benefited from a system set up to steal and redistribute ancestral lands for the profit of the crown.
He clearly depicts the tactics of fear and segregation that the white man uses to cement their colonial thievery against the spirit of a people willing to rise up and fight for their right.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Police brutality, Death of parent
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A short book but felt so so long and heavy. Weep not, Njoroge
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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:
Complicated