A review by paytonmckenna
How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue

4.0

i found the multiple perspectives and nonlinear storytelling to work really well. they really created a sense of the village collectively piecing together and preserving its history. one thing that leaves a bad taste in my mouth is the inclusion of the ritual scene with thula. it feels gratuitous? the novel already communicates in other ways the gender dynamics between the five and her, and the consequences of the ritual never seem to serve a purpose in the rest of the narrative. overall, a devastating read.