Reviews

Dottie by Abdulrazak Gurnah

jeankwemoi's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

ruthie_wk's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

bukolayemi's review against another edition

hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Dottie Badoura Fatma Balfour finds solace amidst the squalor of her childhood by spinning warm tales of affection about her beautiful names. But she knows nothing of their origins, and little of her family history - or the abuse her ancestors suffered as they made their home in Britain.  At seventeen, she takes on the burden of responsibility for her brother and sister and is obsessed with keeping the family together. 

First published in 1990, this was the third book written by Abdulrazak Gurnah. After reading the first two which I found a bit weird in parts, I almost regretted signing up for the completist challenge #ReadRazak but Dottie was a much more welcome experience for me. 

I could relate with the main character who like me is the first born and a book lover. 

We read about Dottie and her siblings living in poverty but trying to make something of their lives.

This author is obviously not one to be put in a box, he infuses information about world events and politics in the book through Dottie’s interest in reading both fiction and non fiction books.  

hadleysbookshelf's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

greenej's review

4.0

Dottie and her siblings navigate life in post-WWII England, facing poverty and racism as a family of African descent. When their mother dies, leaving three teenage children orphaned, Dottie becomes the caretaker of the family. The novel is engaging and powerful. There is much tragedy but along the way Gurnah's take on the legacy of colonialism and the UK's poor treatment of those fleeing the damage its government caused in Africa is illuminating and, at times, brilliant.