Reviews

Every Day Is for the Thief by Teju Cole

lizzypunch's review

hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

3.0

jesswebber02's review

reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

cseibs's review

3.0

I enjoyed this as a counterpoint to Adichie's "Americanah." Instead of ludicrously romanticizing homeland and childhood, Cole takes a much more critical eye of Nigeria. Everything thing isn't just as it was or just as he nostalgically remembered it. However, Cole may have taken it too far. His negativity about Nigeria has no end. It is home, but we see none of the warmth, none of the good things that draw him there. And perhaps that is the point - that we are drawn home no matter how depressing it is. But without any bright spot at all it makes for a sad and unsatisfying read.

returnofsaturn's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative 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? No

5.0

kayleigh214's review

adventurous dark informative sad slow-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? Yes

3.0

abbygaelobrien's review against another edition

3.0

*3.5
“We are playing grown-ups.”

i usually don’t enjoy 1st person pov but it really fit this book, overall interesting narrative of a country i know basically nothing about.

veenaoo's review

2.0

The premise had the potential of being really interesting and insightful. Unfortunately, most of Cole's writing is so dry that it was nearly painful to read at times. Some scenes are well written and affecting but I would not recommend it. It's a short book (I read in less than 1.5 hours in a car) but not really worth the read. I can't say it was badly written, it was just really boring.

sophiavass's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

3.75

essjay1's review

4.0

I heard Teju Cole at one of the Ubud Writers Festivals and bought this book there. I thoroughly enjoyed his insights into his "home" town, his musings on returning as an outsider. Cole is a thoughtful observer of humanity and I look forward to reading more from him.

rc90041's review against another edition

5.0

A small meditative gem. Yes, the contrivance of calling this "fiction" is entirely unnecessary, but that doesn't matter. Cole's images are so vivid and searing, his ability to articulate the track of a drifting thought so brilliant, that the tiny book feels weightier and grander than its modest 162 pages. The book is interspersed with photos of Nigeria taken by Cole, and the black-and-white photos are complemented by the documentary-like prose, which captures fine details with the accuracy and sharpness of digital video.