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A review by coralrose
Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan
3.0
This book is harsh. It's heart-breaking. And it's not pretty.
But neither is Africa, in all honesty.
I mean, I understand not wanting to read a book that is so much reality and so little joy, but you know, just because our lives are relatively easy doesn't mean that the rest of the world is.
I think that our refusal to see themes in books like this one are the reason that other countries see us as ego-centric. Because we are. Why read about pain and rape and death when we can just go get a latte and listen to Norah Jones instead?
But neither is Africa, in all honesty.
I mean, I understand not wanting to read a book that is so much reality and so little joy, but you know, just because our lives are relatively easy doesn't mean that the rest of the world is.
I think that our refusal to see themes in books like this one are the reason that other countries see us as ego-centric. Because we are. Why read about pain and rape and death when we can just go get a latte and listen to Norah Jones instead?