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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
I thought the first half of the book was quite lovely, if somewhat sad, because of the very real hardships Darling's family and community faced "After." When the protagonist traveled to the US the novel changed dramatically. One would expect the character to change once she was transplanted to another place but I felt as though the tone, feel of the novel itself changed. I can't really explain it other than to say that the second half of the novel was less lyrical and lovely and more common and what I would expect to find in any so so novel about American youth.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual violence
This is a beautifully tragic story. It is one that is all too familiar to way too many. The tragedy does not necessarily lie the condition in which the characters live in the beginning of the book, but in the loss that they are forced to endure by the end.
It is easy to feel sorry for them as they stand as victims of a country that seems to have been forgotten by God, but it is downright heartbreaking to know that they dream of an America that will deliver and embrace them. As with most things, the dream that Darling had been creating most of her childhood, as a way to cope with her reality, withered in the face of the American reality.
So the question: Live in a state of perpetual hunger and need? OR Live in a perpetual state of wandering and longing? It is unfair for anyone to have to make that decision.
It is easy to feel sorry for them as they stand as victims of a country that seems to have been forgotten by God, but it is downright heartbreaking to know that they dream of an America that will deliver and embrace them. As with most things, the dream that Darling had been creating most of her childhood, as a way to cope with her reality, withered in the face of the American reality.
So the question: Live in a state of perpetual hunger and need? OR Live in a perpetual state of wandering and longing? It is unfair for anyone to have to make that decision.
To be honest I didn't really enjoy this book. It's really grim, so be prepared to hear about rape, death, and general horrific stuff. I think the idea of the book is good, and she makes a good point through the story about how America is seen by the non-imperialist countries - as a light of hope, an amazing place of plenty - and how the reality is starkly different, especially for immigrant populations, but also for ordinary Americans too. However, I just found the book a bit depressing, and the story doesn't really have an ending (in that kinnda postmodernist way where it just stops), which I am personally not a fan of.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Usually I'm having difficulties with child characters in stories. Very often I find their thoughts and dialogues unbelievable, but this wasn't the case here. I really enjoyed reading about the daily life and the adventures Darling and her friends went on. Maybe I would have preferred one or two characters less, because not all of them were portrayed really memorably.
The author did a good job in letting the place and the experiences the protagonists had coming alive on the page.
Can't really say which part I enjoyed more, the one that takes place in Zimbabwe or the one in the US. Both are similar important to the story, so I had no preference.
The only criticism I have is that Bulawayo tries too hard to cover numerous themes and therefore can't really go into depth with most of them. This is a short book, so most of the covered topics stay quite on the surface and aren't explored enough. Which I would have been really interested in.
The author did a good job in letting the place and the experiences the protagonists had coming alive on the page.
Can't really say which part I enjoyed more, the one that takes place in Zimbabwe or the one in the US. Both are similar important to the story, so I had no preference.
The only criticism I have is that Bulawayo tries too hard to cover numerous themes and therefore can't really go into depth with most of them. This is a short book, so most of the covered topics stay quite on the surface and aren't explored enough. Which I would have been really interested in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Dementia, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Colonisation
Minor: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Mental illness, Mass/school shootings, War, Injury/Injury detail
dark
funny
reflective
fast-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
This book is told in two parts, in Africa and in America. I found the beginning part in Africa the most interesting. Bulawayo is a very descriptive writer and did an excellent job sucking you in to the world of Darling, the protagonist.
At times this story is plain confronting but in such an honest way that it kind of makes you embarrassed that this stuff comes as a shock to you. The way Bulawayo immerses you in the African culture and the struggles of the country should be commended.
Stark contrast is also achieved once Darling moves to America. It is done in an effortless way where the way Darling tells the story kind of acts to unintentionally illuminate waste and thanklessness that she doesn't recognise from home.
I think this book is a success and is written cleverly and beautifully.
At times this story is plain confronting but in such an honest way that it kind of makes you embarrassed that this stuff comes as a shock to you. The way Bulawayo immerses you in the African culture and the struggles of the country should be commended.
Stark contrast is also achieved once Darling moves to America. It is done in an effortless way where the way Darling tells the story kind of acts to unintentionally illuminate waste and thanklessness that she doesn't recognise from home.
I think this book is a success and is written cleverly and beautifully.
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes