Scan barcode
kibbles15's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This is book of short stories shedding light about various situations in Sudan. All of the stories will make you think and some will tug at your emotions. In terms of writing, the author uses a very artistic style. Although, I do appreciate the artistry, I found that it made some of the stories a bit confusing. (I am still not sure what she was trying to imply with the stories about the fly on the bus.) Overall, I liked the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Child death, Death, Mental illness, and Death of parent
hoppingpages's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
inherbooks's review against another edition
4.0
With most short story collections, some stories hit and others miss. I’ve never read a collection like this one that had a hold on me from the first letter to the very last. In 70 pages, Rania Mamoun had me falling in and out of love, requited and unrequited, in and out of health, and in and out of the shadows of the mind of an author, struggling creatively – I was EVERYWHERE and NOWHERE at the same time *be still, my heart*.
Rania Mamoun gives voice to the voiceless, and shines a light on issues prevalent in Sudan, as well as every other society in the world – poverty, hunger, poor/access to healthcare to name a few.
There are no heroes or heroines with a cape and shiny suit, these are people living - making it through this world, some by the skin of their teeth, loving and losing. For all the feelings I was put through, most of the stories only take place over 20 to 30 minutes, maybe 2 to 3 days with the longest last a week or so.
The final story (Stray Steps), where the MC falls because of hunger and an untreated chronic disease, ends in a way I was both shocked and ashamed to see – that human nature could go so low as to dismiss suffering. (Edges) has to be my favourite, but I don’t want to ruin it for you if you read it.
Rania Mamoun gives voice to the voiceless, and shines a light on issues prevalent in Sudan, as well as every other society in the world – poverty, hunger, poor/access to healthcare to name a few.
There are no heroes or heroines with a cape and shiny suit, these are people living - making it through this world, some by the skin of their teeth, loving and losing. For all the feelings I was put through, most of the stories only take place over 20 to 30 minutes, maybe 2 to 3 days with the longest last a week or so.
The final story (Stray Steps), where the MC falls because of hunger and an untreated chronic disease, ends in a way I was both shocked and ashamed to see – that human nature could go so low as to dismiss suffering. (Edges) has to be my favourite, but I don’t want to ruin it for you if you read it.
elenasquareeyes's review against another edition
4.0
Thirteen Months of Sunrise is a very short (just 72 pages long) but impactful short story collection. There are ten stories in the collection, the shortest one is just two pages long while the longest is nine pages with the others being somewhere in between.
I think this is the shortest short story collection I’ve ever read, and I was impressed by how much the author could say in so few words. “A Week of Love” is the two-page story that follows the evolution of a relationship and it easily shows the various emotions and uncertainty when you like someone new.
A lot of the stories are about something that seems so everyone can relate to as it’s so mundane, like a person’s thoughts as they travel on a bus, or someone desperate to find a job to support their family. Many of the stories are a little snapshot into peoples lives in Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan, and the mental and physical struggles they have.
My favourite story in the collection was “Thirteen Months of Sunrise”, it has discussions of identity and the differences and similarities between people and cultures from Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia.
It’s hard to really talk about Thirteen Months of Sunrise because the stories were so short! Still, it’s a great translation and the stories are interesting and thoughtful.
I think this is the shortest short story collection I’ve ever read, and I was impressed by how much the author could say in so few words. “A Week of Love” is the two-page story that follows the evolution of a relationship and it easily shows the various emotions and uncertainty when you like someone new.
A lot of the stories are about something that seems so everyone can relate to as it’s so mundane, like a person’s thoughts as they travel on a bus, or someone desperate to find a job to support their family. Many of the stories are a little snapshot into peoples lives in Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan, and the mental and physical struggles they have.
My favourite story in the collection was “Thirteen Months of Sunrise”, it has discussions of identity and the differences and similarities between people and cultures from Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia.
It’s hard to really talk about Thirteen Months of Sunrise because the stories were so short! Still, it’s a great translation and the stories are interesting and thoughtful.
frida_kahlo's review against another edition
5.0
What a short, yet powerful and touching book. It left me speechless. And I feel fortunate to have been able to read this book, although I do not own a printed copy.
macknz_p's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
catzach's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
thelittlebookishnerd's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Thirteen Months of Sunrise is a collection of ten short stories by Rania Mamoun. Each story is beautifully written and full of emotions. For me, this book was also educational as it gave a glimpse into the Sudanese culture.