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anushareflects's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Gurnah’s “Paradise” is a complicated piece of writing following 12 year old Yusuf who is sold by his parents for the repayment of their debt to “Uncle” Aziz. The story then follows his journeys emotional, metaphorical and geographical across the African continent with traders of various kinds as he grows older. A commentary on the social and power dynamics of Africa with special emphasis on its poor. Gives a view into the lives of those rarely discussed - the bitter, dirty, difficult parts included. But somehow I found the writing a tad cluttered so it didn’t leave me with the impact I wished it did. But regardless of this story, Gurnah is a phenomenal writer.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Colonisation, and Classism
ange9346's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Cursing, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Excrement, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, and Classism
skyeuqx's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
proudtobeabookaholic's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
När Yusuf är 12 år skickas han till kusten för att bo hos sin farbror Aziz, som är en välbärgad köpman. Men Aziz är inte hans farbror och Yusuf har skickats dit för att betala av föräldrarnas skuld.
En intressant inblick i en värld och en tid som jag knappt känner till. Om köpmännens liv och leverne för omkring 100 år sedan, då delar av Afrika var ockuperat av andra makter. Språket är lättsamt och gör att historien flyter på bra. Trots detta så tror jag inte att Paradiset kommer att lämna några djupare spår hos mig. Kan bero på att jag lyssnade på boken. Jag kände att jag tappade koncentrationen ibland och kanske missade en del, men orkade inte "spola tillbaka" för att lyssna igen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Slavery, and Colonisation
anna_banana99's review against another edition
challenging
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Abandonment, and Colonisation
Moderate: Slavery