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A review by jennygoodier
Dust by Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Incredible. Traumatic, historic and beautiful all in one. Written in poetry with such a depth of feeling and such masterful execution of flashback memory. I truly cannot put into words how moving the depiction is of Odidi and Anjany's sibling relationship is. But also Akai-Mas revelations at the end we're crushing.
I am so glad I stumbled upon this in Oxfam. Kenya has had a tragic history due to colonialism and I think reading about it through the lens of a family torn apart has really put that further into perspective for me. I will now do some more learning about Kenyas history.
Favourite quotes:
There is something unnamed and shameful about lonliness created out of rejection.
Sometimes the anguish was a phantom limb, raw, weeping, and invisible.
Next, he waits for the bite of despair that is the companion to his waking.
Kenyas official languages: English, Kiswahili, and Silence.
I'll find you silly./A smile inches it's way out of the depths of her heart.
...and looks into a place in his being where Kai Lokorijom has lived from the day he first saw her.
Giggles colour the darkness. It pours into so many emptinesses.
"Create room for trying again."
I am so glad I stumbled upon this in Oxfam. Kenya has had a tragic history due to colonialism and I think reading about it through the lens of a family torn apart has really put that further into perspective for me. I will now do some more learning about Kenyas history.
Favourite quotes:
There is something unnamed and shameful about lonliness created out of rejection.
Sometimes the anguish was a phantom limb, raw, weeping, and invisible.
Next, he waits for the bite of despair that is the companion to his waking.
Kenyas official languages: English, Kiswahili, and Silence.
I'll find you silly./A smile inches it's way out of the depths of her heart.
...and looks into a place in his being where Kai Lokorijom has lived from the day he first saw her.
Giggles colour the darkness. It pours into so many emptinesses.
"Create room for trying again."