A review by archytas
Transparent City by Ondjaki

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This is a funny, joyful read for a book anchored by one man's desperation. Ondjaki dials up the absurdist humour - Transparent City really is often read-aloud funny in its take down of corruption, greed and pomposity in Luanda - but it is his honouring of the heart of the working class characters that carry the book that makes it. A sea-shell seller sustained by his romantic dreaming, a postman with more determination than a human could sustain, and a father fading to nothing from depression but filled with the wonder of it all at the same time. None of these characters expect to succeed. There is no disillusionment (well, other than The American) because there is no illusion-mention, but they try anyway, because dignity or love is worth it. Nothing (well, almost nothing) ends well, but the city trucks on.
There is very sharp critique underpinning this, which is also feeding the humour. Ondjaki demonstrates the depth of the net that Luanda's residents are caught in, one that ultimately springs from colonialism. 
This is not a linear read, very experimental in form with punctuation largely eschewed and a blurring between perspectives and dialogue. But don't let that think it is dense. Ultimately, this is a light take on something difficult, just with plenty of sting in the tail.