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schwertfeger49's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
areidbarnes's review against another edition
4.0
This collection of short stories has been quite the privilege checker for me. All these stories are told from the perspective of children in Africa and recounts the hardships they've endured. It's extremely difficult to read because the truth is so real, as we've all heard horror stories similar. But by giving the children name and agency, you can no longer run from the issue at hand.
Some stories were better than others, as is the case with most short story collections, but accounts for the missing star.
Some stories were better than others, as is the case with most short story collections, but accounts for the missing star.
thukpa's review against another edition
3.0
I understand the purpose of the author to show the reality of children's lives in Africa, but I found myself hoping for a "happy ending" to each story, and none were. So if you want a feel good book, this is not it. Definitely a worthwhile and important book, but you won't walk away feeling good. (If you want that, try "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" by William Kamkwambe and Bryan Mealer. Non-fiction, and harrowing, but also hopeful and dealing with the lives of African children.)
mipa_jt's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
angie_reading's review against another edition
The first and the last stories are excellent--tragic and haunting. The longer novellas are not nearly as powerful (or well written). Akpan's voice is new and he writes about Africa in a nuanced and compelling way; I look forward to reading more from him.
jenniferstringer's review against another edition
4.0
This book rips your heart out and stomps on it, but we all need to put a human face on the statistics that are coming out of Africa. If nothing else, it will put your own problems in perspective.
anniepatt's review against another edition
Very heavy subject matter- not for someone struggling with depression or other mental health issues
coralrose's review against another edition
3.0
This book is harsh. It's heart-breaking. And it's not pretty.
But neither is Africa, in all honesty.
I mean, I understand not wanting to read a book that is so much reality and so little joy, but you know, just because our lives are relatively easy doesn't mean that the rest of the world is.
I think that our refusal to see themes in books like this one are the reason that other countries see us as ego-centric. Because we are. Why read about pain and rape and death when we can just go get a latte and listen to Norah Jones instead?
But neither is Africa, in all honesty.
I mean, I understand not wanting to read a book that is so much reality and so little joy, but you know, just because our lives are relatively easy doesn't mean that the rest of the world is.
I think that our refusal to see themes in books like this one are the reason that other countries see us as ego-centric. Because we are. Why read about pain and rape and death when we can just go get a latte and listen to Norah Jones instead?