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A review by melodys_library
Aftershocks by Nadia Owusu
2.0
I have a hard time rating memoirs because writing one is such a courageous and cathartic act. Baring your soul for all to see takes courage, and who am I to judge someone’s personal recounting of historical events and his/her life?
What I liked: The history. I appreciated the research on the European colonization of Ghana, Armenian genocide, postcolonial states and diaspora. The chapter about language and discussions on race relations drew me in as well.
What I didn’t like: I’ll admit that I was not moved to tears. There’s no doubt that the author had a traumatic, exhausting childhood experience. However, while the author writes about her emotions, I didn’t find her writing emotional. Also, the paragraphs didn’t flow, and felt disjointed and pieced together. Perhaps that’s what the author intended - for it to feel like phases of an earthquake, which was her driving metaphor?
What I liked: The history. I appreciated the research on the European colonization of Ghana, Armenian genocide, postcolonial states and diaspora. The chapter about language and discussions on race relations drew me in as well.
What I didn’t like: I’ll admit that I was not moved to tears. There’s no doubt that the author had a traumatic, exhausting childhood experience. However, while the author writes about her emotions, I didn’t find her writing emotional. Also, the paragraphs didn’t flow, and felt disjointed and pieced together. Perhaps that’s what the author intended - for it to feel like phases of an earthquake, which was her driving metaphor?