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half_book_and_co's review against another edition
4.0
Emmanuel Iduma's A Stranger's Pose is a beautiful and necessary book: There is so few (published) African travel writing and this is book is a stellar example. Small vignettes, between prose and poetry, tell from Iduma's travels through several towns in several African countries. This is travelogue, memoir, and essay. Iduma reflects on traveling, different places, and the people we meet. But as much as this is a book about traveling it is one about photography. Not only are photographs included but Iduma interrogates the history of photography, the ways pictures are taken and the connections photography (or just the presence of a camera) can foster or disrupt.
sir_presh's review against another edition
4.0
I have never read anything like this before. This book contains beautiful and timeless writing that had me returning over and over again till I was done reading in a short time.
I aspire to be able to craft words like this someday!
I aspire to be able to craft words like this someday!
2treads's review
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Remembering is not a mere act of will.- Emmanuel
Each chapter is a snapshot, an experience, experiment and a questioning as our narrator moves between place and space, meeting old friends, acquaintances and making new connections as he goes from city to village to town in these nations.
Although Iduma uses poems and photographs to convey his travels, there is almost an academic interest that outweighs the personal. Almost as if he is examining what his presence brings or how it changes his surroundings. As I read, I cannot help but see the direct terseness of some statements and observations, as well as the poetic flow and meaning of others.
However, threaded throughout is a richness of people and interactions that he comes across and that prod memories and reflections.
Definitely an interesting read and melding of prose, poetry, and pictures.
-The ocean is the world, without partition and division, only depth and expanse.-
Each chapter is a snapshot, an experience, experiment and a questioning as our narrator moves between place and space, meeting old friends, acquaintances and making new connections as he goes from city to village to town in these nations.
Although Iduma uses poems and photographs to convey his travels, there is almost an academic interest that outweighs the personal. Almost as if he is examining what his presence brings or how it changes his surroundings. As I read, I cannot help but see the direct terseness of some statements and observations, as well as the poetic flow and meaning of others.
However, threaded throughout is a richness of people and interactions that he comes across and that prod memories and reflections.
Definitely an interesting read and melding of prose, poetry, and pictures.
-The ocean is the world, without partition and division, only depth and expanse.-
aishathebibliophile's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Absolutely beautiful and haunting
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