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donnaratcliff's review against another edition
5.0
A powerfully and beautifully written book that sweeps you along. From the very first page you find yourself becoming involved with the characters and caught up in their experiences. I think this story will live in my mind for a long time.
aliazmi99's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-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? No
4.75
i really enjoyed this one.
to be honest, i've never known of biafra before this book, so reading this and learning about biafra really reminded me that i dont know jack shit lol. not just of biafra, but of africa. time for me to read and learn some more.
once war breaks out, the book gets progressively more and more difficult to read, some scenes were horrific and seeing how some of the characters respond was inspiring at times, disgusting at others. all the same, i was moved, but thought that some characters could've afforded to be written in a less redemptive way.
this might've been a 5 star but i thought the way the book ended was a bit rushed and not as careful as the rest. there are other little tidbits that didn't really tickle my brain the right way throughout the book (bad) but this was still a banger
to be honest, i've never known of biafra before this book, so reading this and learning about biafra really reminded me that i dont know jack shit lol. not just of biafra, but of africa. time for me to read and learn some more.
once war breaks out, the book gets progressively more and more difficult to read, some scenes were horrific and seeing how some of the characters respond was inspiring at times, disgusting at others. all the same, i was moved, but thought that some characters could've afforded to be written in a less redemptive way.
this might've been a 5 star but i thought the way the book ended was a bit rushed and not as careful as the rest. there are other little tidbits that didn't really tickle my brain the right way throughout the book (bad) but this was still a banger
katieinca's review
4.0
Things about this book felt familiar - a faraway place, a historically significant time, politics and violence made personal through sympathetic characters. Yes, it's one of those.
But I think what I'll remember about this one is less the things I learned about Nigeria and Biafra and more about these sisters and their men and the crazy intensity. Bits like Olanna thinking about Odenigbo, wishing "that she could love him without needing him. Need gave him power without his trying." Richard's desperation and Kainene's inscrutability.
I'm looking forward to Americanah, where I expect more of the great writing, with a lot less dying.
But I think what I'll remember about this one is less the things I learned about Nigeria and Biafra and more about these sisters and their men and the crazy intensity. Bits like Olanna thinking about Odenigbo, wishing "that she could love him without needing him. Need gave him power without his trying." Richard's desperation and Kainene's inscrutability.
I'm looking forward to Americanah, where I expect more of the great writing, with a lot less dying.
littlemimus's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
galiiey's review
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book destroyed me. I love it so much.
minhgou's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
sarahreading's review against another edition
It's really dense to read during spring semester. Started reading it for class and really enjoyed it, but don't have time to finish right now.
xcinnamonsugar's review
3.0
I’d not known about the short-lived existence of Biafra before reading this novel, so it was interesting to learn about the tribal and religious fault lines along which the state came to be.
The four-part structure of the narrative seemed somewhat confusing and unnecessary. Rather than being in chronological order (A-B-C-D), it switched the middle portions around (A-C-B-D). Perhaps this was meant to seed curiosity in the reader, but I ended up feeling very disengaged throughout the C-part and wondering if I should DNF this book. I’m glad I didn’t, since the second half of the book was great.
The wartime experiences were described in unflinchingly intimate detail, from food rations and forced conscription to air raid drills and assault. Unfortunately, the same quality was sorely lacking for the characters in this story, who had the most banal reactions to extreme events.
The four-part structure of the narrative seemed somewhat confusing and unnecessary. Rather than being in chronological order (A-B-C-D), it switched the middle portions around (A-C-B-D). Perhaps this was meant to seed curiosity in the reader, but I ended up feeling very disengaged throughout the C-part and wondering if I should DNF this book. I’m glad I didn’t, since the second half of the book was great.
The wartime experiences were described in unflinchingly intimate detail, from food rations and forced conscription to air raid drills and assault. Unfortunately, the same quality was sorely lacking for the characters in this story, who had the most banal reactions to extreme events.