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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
We read Verre Cassé for the Francophone literature class, and it led to a very interesting discussion. The writing style is very different, and makes me want to read more of his works.
Republic of the Congo
I did not like this one. Writing style wasn't for me at all.
I did not like this one. Writing style wasn't for me at all.
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For the first half of the book, I kept thinking that I had enjoyed Tram 83 more than what I was enjoying this book, but upon finishing this novel I believe both are equally strong and important works.
The literary references in the last 50 pages just keep coming, and Mabanckou uses them to critique French, South American, and American literary imagination while at the same time criticizing his own motivations as a writer and somewhat cultural recorder.
This novel is stunningly brillant! The humor is laugh-out-loud funny of the intellectual variety. I cannot believe how short this was. I certainly will read more from him.
The literary references in the last 50 pages just keep coming, and Mabanckou uses them to critique French, South American, and American literary imagination while at the same time criticizing his own motivations as a writer and somewhat cultural recorder.
This novel is stunningly brillant! The humor is laugh-out-loud funny of the intellectual variety. I cannot believe how short this was. I certainly will read more from him.
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
reflective
fast-paced
"in Africa, when an old person dies, a library burns"
Ever heard that old cliché? Me neither, but I like it. It's everything we should try to avoid. So much knowledge is lost because of poor or no record keeping. Not just the important stuff - with legal or economic consequences - but also the fun moments that only live on in someone's memory, the heartaches or the victories that no one shares and that dies with you. Of course, we can't document our entire lives, that might at some point start to become pretty creepy. But Broken Glass tries to record the stories people wish to tell, and the stories he has to tell himself.
And the stories are equally tragic and hilarious. Credit Gone West, a bar in the Congo, has quite the clientele. First time I've ever read about an actual pissing contest, which by the way ended, surprisingly, with a sweet moment. There's the guy that did Paris, the guy that wears Pampers and has a torn up asshole, and the guy who wants to know where the ducks in cold countries goes in winter. There are his own experiences with an old prostitute. Broken Glass doesn't mind being graphic or direct. He doesn't gloss over anything. But in writing these people's stories he does interpret them. As the reader does with every novel. The story means something different to everyone, and the author's intentions can be utterly irrelevant. Some of the storytellers aren't pleased with that, though. They want their version of their story in the records, with a clear intent and no room for differing interpretations. Good luck with that, it's an impossible task for any author. And not one worth gunning for.
Since this is a book of stories and storytelling, it's not surprising that it is littered with references to works of literature. 170 references, to be precise. I'm guessing I've missed more than half, at least. The duck guy calls himself Holden and is referencing The Catcher in the Rye, there are numerous titles inserted in the stories, amongst others many from Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Mario Vargas Llosa. He refers to the guy that was in exile in Guernsey, which is Victor Hugo. Anyone could make a sport - or at least a drinking game - out of reading this book.
I read this for The Reading Rush and have now completed one badge. Yay me! This was a fun one to start with.
Ever heard that old cliché? Me neither, but I like it. It's everything we should try to avoid. So much knowledge is lost because of poor or no record keeping. Not just the important stuff - with legal or economic consequences - but also the fun moments that only live on in someone's memory, the heartaches or the victories that no one shares and that dies with you. Of course, we can't document our entire lives, that might at some point start to become pretty creepy. But Broken Glass tries to record the stories people wish to tell, and the stories he has to tell himself.
And the stories are equally tragic and hilarious. Credit Gone West, a bar in the Congo, has quite the clientele. First time I've ever read about an actual pissing contest, which by the way ended, surprisingly, with a sweet moment. There's the guy that did Paris, the guy that wears Pampers and has a torn up asshole, and the guy who wants to know where the ducks in cold countries goes in winter. There are his own experiences with an old prostitute. Broken Glass doesn't mind being graphic or direct. He doesn't gloss over anything. But in writing these people's stories he does interpret them. As the reader does with every novel. The story means something different to everyone, and the author's intentions can be utterly irrelevant. Some of the storytellers aren't pleased with that, though. They want their version of their story in the records, with a clear intent and no room for differing interpretations. Good luck with that, it's an impossible task for any author. And not one worth gunning for.
Since this is a book of stories and storytelling, it's not surprising that it is littered with references to works of literature. 170 references, to be precise. I'm guessing I've missed more than half, at least. The duck guy calls himself Holden and is referencing The Catcher in the Rye, there are numerous titles inserted in the stories, amongst others many from Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Mario Vargas Llosa. He refers to the guy that was in exile in Guernsey, which is Victor Hugo. Anyone could make a sport - or at least a drinking game - out of reading this book.
I read this for The Reading Rush and have now completed one badge. Yay me! This was a fun one to start with.