A review by readbynorah
A General Theory of Oblivion by José Eduardo Agualusa

4.0

"Monsters, show me the monsters: these people out on the street. My people."

A journey through post-colonial Angola, A General Theory of Oblivion, centres around agoraphobic Ludo, who decides to brick herself in her home to shield herself from the armed conflicts ensuing around her. It's composed through diary entries, poems, flashes into the lives of connected characters and Ludo's dwelling in her home.

This book is a great introduction for readers unfamiliar with Angola's history. It's a short and insightful read, told through a compelling narrative that is sure to keep your attention. Although Ludo is the main character, the book weaves through the viewpoints of a handful of various characters. Hence, it primarily depicts Angola's independence rather than a deep dive into the characters. This fact causes them to appear shallow, although I believe it's appropriate for the narrative Agualusa has chosen.

Another thing I enjoyed about the book is Agualusa's writing. It's poetic, enhanced through the different text types utilised throughout the book. Although he uses lyricism, Agualusas's writing is concise and maintains a pleasant flow of pages.

I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction and appreciates eclectic main characters.