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A review by flyingfox02
Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Sigh. This book is such a massive letdown. I'd heard so many great things about it but right now it's a contender for my worst book of 2024 and likely to stay that way come December.
Coming into this I expected to read a story about post-colonialism but instead I got to read about one man's sexual escapades in London. And a bunch of other men bragging and arguing about what they do to women in bed. The social commentary is there, remarks on how Westerners view Africans, how recently-independent countries aren't truly yet free of the presence of their colonisers. However those felt secondary in comparison to all the filthy drivel.
The back cover of my gorgeous NYRB edition poses this question about one of the main characters, "But what is the meaning of Mustafa's confession?" I may be dumb which won't be the first time, but having finished the book I'm still left pondering the same question. What was the point of it? It's utter waffle to me.
Coming into this I expected to read a story about post-colonialism but instead I got to read about one man's sexual escapades in London. And a bunch of other men bragging and arguing about what they do to women in bed. The social commentary is there, remarks on how Westerners view Africans, how recently-independent countries aren't truly yet free of the presence of their colonisers. However those felt secondary in comparison to all the filthy drivel.
The back cover of my gorgeous NYRB edition poses this question about one of the main characters, "But what is the meaning of Mustafa's confession?" I may be dumb which won't be the first time, but having finished the book I'm still left pondering the same question. What was the point of it? It's utter waffle to me.