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A review by readingnomad
Black Mamba Boy by Nadifa Mohamed
3.0
Black Mamba Boy is a semi-autobiography of the life of Nadifa’s father, Jama. The story starts with him growing up in Aden, Yemen, where he lives with his mother, who fled Somalia, on her quest to find a job and better life after his father left them. Jama is stripped of everything after life on the tough streets of Aden got the best of him and is determined by any means to find his estranged father.
His determination takes him on a tumultuous journey through various cities across the Middle East and East Africa, as the story focuses on him. .
Nadifa’s writing gives a striking image of Jama’s experience throughout his journey, walking across the desert and carrying out labour intensive jobs in order to survive. The vivid scenes convey emotion, making the reader sympathise with Jama.
An important part of Jama’s journey happens in Eritrea where much of the book takes place, during the 1930’s Italian occupation. Nadifa’s skillful writing is on display in describing the colonial daily life in Eritrea through segregation and the less than kind treatment of Africans. This is a story of resilience and unrelentingly chasing one’s fate as none of the challenges deterred Jama. .
Thanks to Twitter a couple of years ago, I learnt of the involvement of Africans in the Second World War who were recruited to fight for their colonizers. This is my first read on the subject and it is a enlightening introduction. In Black Mamba Boy, Nadifa highlights the impact the war had on African soldiers. I feel this is a story that had to be told and I’m glad Nadifa did. A part of me wishes it was non-fiction as i kept wondering to myself which parts of this important story is fiction.
His determination takes him on a tumultuous journey through various cities across the Middle East and East Africa, as the story focuses on him. .
Nadifa’s writing gives a striking image of Jama’s experience throughout his journey, walking across the desert and carrying out labour intensive jobs in order to survive. The vivid scenes convey emotion, making the reader sympathise with Jama.
An important part of Jama’s journey happens in Eritrea where much of the book takes place, during the 1930’s Italian occupation. Nadifa’s skillful writing is on display in describing the colonial daily life in Eritrea through segregation and the less than kind treatment of Africans. This is a story of resilience and unrelentingly chasing one’s fate as none of the challenges deterred Jama. .
Thanks to Twitter a couple of years ago, I learnt of the involvement of Africans in the Second World War who were recruited to fight for their colonizers. This is my first read on the subject and it is a enlightening introduction. In Black Mamba Boy, Nadifa highlights the impact the war had on African soldiers. I feel this is a story that had to be told and I’m glad Nadifa did. A part of me wishes it was non-fiction as i kept wondering to myself which parts of this important story is fiction.