A review by islajohnson
Dealing with the Dead by Alain Mabanckou

adventurous emotional slow-paced

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

3.25

In 'Dealing with the Dead'  Liwa Ekimakingaï awakes in a cemetery. He has died young. Confused and lost he wants to piece together his last moments and say goodbye to his closest relative his grandmother. The novel delves into the familial relationships and and personal politics of  Ekimakingaï. While, also depicting the surrounding area and wider politics of Congo through the multitude of fellow ghosts in the cemetery. 

I enjoyed the depictions of setting. As someone who is unfamiliar with Congo I found that i could still make a clear depiction of the political setting and cultural setting.  Ekimakingaï's descriptions and memories of his grandmother were also deeply interesting. 

I found the narration really hard to read. The flip between third and second felt clunky and is personally not a style of narrative I enjoy. However, I can see that it was an interesting tool used in the context of the novel, after all we do all die. (I have also just read that this is a nod to a French writer and style unfortunately this went over my head so wasn't as appreciated.)

Thanks to #netgalley for this ARC.