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A review by jotheblackbookworm
Losing the Plot by Derek Owusu
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"Me? You're calling me fass? My friend be careful. I'm not your classmate."
Losing The Plot is primarily a thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between a mother and son, which is also interwoven with the impacts of immigration & mental health.
Inspired by Derek's own intrigue of his mother's journey & life, Derek reimagines his mothers journey in this fictional story.
As mentioned above, the inclusion of the immigrant experience is one that is that the forefront of this story. I found it really interesting how the mother's experience of being plucked from everything that she knew in Ghana and essentially finding herself displaced in the UK. I found it especially heart-breaking when I realised that she was masking her interest of home (Ghana). Her displacement manifests in ways which affect her mental health - even if she does not label it as depression - but it is felt for years to come by her children.
Another element of this story that I enjoyed was how Kwesi at times felt equally displaced. Despite his mother being Ghanian, whilst reading I also felt Kwesi's disconnect from his heritage & culture. For Kwesi in a nutshell it felt as though there was a longing to understand what truly cannot be understood.
Now, despite this book being extremely short - circa 150 pages, I struggled heavily with this book! I was able to ascertain particular facts relating to the mother & son duo, BUT I do feel like a lot of this story I was unable to grasp due to the heavy lyricism used relating to the mothers experience. What I will say however, is Kwesi's asides were genius and I found myself cracking up at times.
Lyrical prose isn't ny preferred reading choice, but yet I still find myself trying to make a breakthrough. God loves a trier, but I think I am done with trying to fit into a shoe that just won't fit.
Are you a fan of lyrical prose?
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Losing The Plot is primarily a thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between a mother and son, which is also interwoven with the impacts of immigration & mental health.
Inspired by Derek's own intrigue of his mother's journey & life, Derek reimagines his mothers journey in this fictional story.
As mentioned above, the inclusion of the immigrant experience is one that is that the forefront of this story. I found it really interesting how the mother's experience of being plucked from everything that she knew in Ghana and essentially finding herself displaced in the UK. I found it especially heart-breaking when I realised that she was masking her interest of home (Ghana). Her displacement manifests in ways which affect her mental health - even if she does not label it as depression - but it is felt for years to come by her children.
Another element of this story that I enjoyed was how Kwesi at times felt equally displaced. Despite his mother being Ghanian, whilst reading I also felt Kwesi's disconnect from his heritage & culture. For Kwesi in a nutshell it felt as though there was a longing to understand what truly cannot be understood.
Now, despite this book being extremely short - circa 150 pages, I struggled heavily with this book! I was able to ascertain particular facts relating to the mother & son duo, BUT I do feel like a lot of this story I was unable to grasp due to the heavy lyricism used relating to the mothers experience. What I will say however, is Kwesi's asides were genius and I found myself cracking up at times.
Lyrical prose isn't ny preferred reading choice, but yet I still find myself trying to make a breakthrough. God loves a trier, but I think I am done with trying to fit into a shoe that just won't fit.
Are you a fan of lyrical prose?
⭐️⭐️⭐️