A review by libraryoflanelle
Our Sister Killjoy by Ama Ata Aidoo

adventurous challenging dark funny informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Wow. I have not stopped thinking about this book since I finished it a week ago. If you’re able, I highly recommend reading it in one or two sittings.

In the introduction, Ayesha Harruna Attah writes of this book: ‘I would wager that her book was ruffling the dainty feathers of her male author friends.’ If that isn’t reason enough to pick up this short yet thematically rich and essential work of art, I don’t know what is.

Our Sister Killjoy by Ama Ata Aidoo was first published in 1977, and this edition is part of the collection of ‘rediscovered gems’ from Faber & Faber. I’m so grateful to have come across this beautiful little book thanks to Faber Editions, made even more special by an introduction from Ayesha Harruna Attah that I found myself rereading and appreciating even more after finishing the novel.

From Ghana to Germany to London and back, we follow Sissie as she navigates the baffling ignorance and unchecked privilege of white Europeans, alongside the sheer shock of witnessing the realities of some from her own diaspora. Aidoo offers searing and unapologetic commentary on the duplicity of colonialism and reflections on implicit racism, both violent and veiled, all woven through sharp observations on the often unfathomable nuances of human relationships.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of this book is the way Aidoo seamlessly shifts between prose and poetry, with many of the poetic sections carrying immense power even when read in isolation. Wow.

Timeless, profound, and vital, Our Sister Killjoy is an essential read. Thank you to the Faber Editions team for bringing this gem back into the world. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy to annotate, share, and revisit time and time again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Faber & Faber for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.
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