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mkay___'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-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? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
stellaar's review against another edition
4.0
Bloody Zeus, aye? I haven't met a woman who didn't want to punch him!
ana610615's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
brew_and_books's review against another edition
3.0
The Half-God of Rainfall is a lyrical and powerful narrative of pride, dignity, and vengeance from a woman’s standpoint. There is something extraordinary about this kid who serves as the central character of this free verse poetry novella. Mists obscure right at the point when he is irate, waterways flood all across and through the river banks right when he is just about to cry, like just there, on the verge. Demi, a half-Nigerian human and half-Grecian God, is the ‘Half-God of Rainfall,’ a demigod.
The very first words in the dedication of this novel are, ‘"In solidarity with women who have spoken against or stood up to male abuses of power in all its forms.” And so it goes, this story is much more about Demi’s mother, Modupe, than him. A woman revered for her beauty and famed for her charm, Modupe was propelled to be at the receiving end of heinous abuse at the hands of the infamous Greek god Zeus. The bastard child of Zeus, sheltered by Modupe in the mortal world of humans, seeks his rightful place in society and rises to be a Basketball star. So much so that when Demi is up for a match, gods from heaven covet for a courtside seat to be the spectator of his exemplary god-like basketball skills.
The novella deals with quite hard-hitting subjects of female abuse and sexual exploitation very well. Nonetheless, it places the strength and resilience of a woman on a higher pedestal which outshines the antagonistic nature of enslavement and oppression. The way a child is frustrated at the in-acknowledgment of his father, or the extent a mother can protect her child, even from revered deities, and the way one deals with sexual trauma, are just some of the things that got to me. I wasn’t signed up for a powerful, hard-hitting narrative like this one when I started it, but it, in the end, helped me widen my horizon of understanding of feminine strength.
It took me a while to get used to the writing style, but once I got in, I knew it is a work of brilliance. I am not a massive fan of Yoruba and Greek Mythology, nor am I some greek mythos-geek, which is the central theme of this narrative, so I have my reservation concerning just this point. But since I was moved by the story and the message per se, it was an enjoyable read. Recommended if you are looking for a short, crisp read with a feminine perspective and a powerful message.
The very first words in the dedication of this novel are, ‘"In solidarity with women who have spoken against or stood up to male abuses of power in all its forms.” And so it goes, this story is much more about Demi’s mother, Modupe, than him. A woman revered for her beauty and famed for her charm, Modupe was propelled to be at the receiving end of heinous abuse at the hands of the infamous Greek god Zeus. The bastard child of Zeus, sheltered by Modupe in the mortal world of humans, seeks his rightful place in society and rises to be a Basketball star. So much so that when Demi is up for a match, gods from heaven covet for a courtside seat to be the spectator of his exemplary god-like basketball skills.
The novella deals with quite hard-hitting subjects of female abuse and sexual exploitation very well. Nonetheless, it places the strength and resilience of a woman on a higher pedestal which outshines the antagonistic nature of enslavement and oppression. The way a child is frustrated at the in-acknowledgment of his father, or the extent a mother can protect her child, even from revered deities, and the way one deals with sexual trauma, are just some of the things that got to me. I wasn’t signed up for a powerful, hard-hitting narrative like this one when I started it, but it, in the end, helped me widen my horizon of understanding of feminine strength.
It took me a while to get used to the writing style, but once I got in, I knew it is a work of brilliance. I am not a massive fan of Yoruba and Greek Mythology, nor am I some greek mythos-geek, which is the central theme of this narrative, so I have my reservation concerning just this point. But since I was moved by the story and the message per se, it was an enjoyable read. Recommended if you are looking for a short, crisp read with a feminine perspective and a powerful message.
_punksnail_'s review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
nuhafariha's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the Reader's Copy!
Imaginative and deeply emotional, Inua Ellams "Half God of Rainfall" is an epic, modern day retelling of Demi, the bastard child of Zeus, seeking his place in the world. While his mother, Modupe worries about how to best keep her son alive in the face of imminent danger, Demi grows more and more frustrated with his father's lack of acknowledgement. It is the terse relationship between Modupe and Demi that interested me the most.
How do you raise a child in a world that will be hostile to them, and still fill them hope? How do you continue to say "Go and fulfill your destiny" knowing that they could die at any moment? Each second spent with the child then becomes that much more precious, a stolen second of life from the world.
"Half God of Rainfall" is ebullient from the basketball Court to the Court of Zeus, a journey seeped in ancient mythology and urban legend. Check it out today!
Imaginative and deeply emotional, Inua Ellams "Half God of Rainfall" is an epic, modern day retelling of Demi, the bastard child of Zeus, seeking his place in the world. While his mother, Modupe worries about how to best keep her son alive in the face of imminent danger, Demi grows more and more frustrated with his father's lack of acknowledgement. It is the terse relationship between Modupe and Demi that interested me the most.
How do you raise a child in a world that will be hostile to them, and still fill them hope? How do you continue to say "Go and fulfill your destiny" knowing that they could die at any moment? Each second spent with the child then becomes that much more precious, a stolen second of life from the world.
"Half God of Rainfall" is ebullient from the basketball Court to the Court of Zeus, a journey seeped in ancient mythology and urban legend. Check it out today!
marthafern's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
cynt_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25