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poorlywordedbookreviews's review
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵: 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳.”
This is a memoir of attending Eton in the 90s as a middle class black child of Ugandan refugees. It is an interesting glimpse into that world, through the eyes of someone who was thoroughly out of place, and also completely at home. Now, with the distance of time he reflects back on the institution that he loves, but realises has hindered him as much as it’s helped him - and which continues to wreak disproportionate havoc on the UK political sphere.
“…𝘦𝘨𝘰 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘮…[𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺] 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵; 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.”
A few things shine out from this book, the main one being that the author seems like a thoroughly lovely bloke, and following his journey was enjoyable and interesting (if not particularly groundbreaking, with no dramatics). However I suspect some might be disappointed this is an intimate story, not really tying in any wider contextual informative or analysis. There’s no big revelations - unsurprisingly as the author, whilst popular, kept himself back from his classmates in many ways - but with its short chapters and easy read style makes it a worthwhile read: the voice of someone who completed the social mobility ladder and isn’t quite sure what to do with that.
alaraor's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Interesting exploration of race and privilege that gives a view to helps explain why UK elites (and it's politicians) are the way they are and think the way they do.
Easy to read due to the short chapter structure but I felt some themes could have been explored further, at times it felt a bit short.
Interesting exploration of race and privilege that gives a view to helps explain why UK elites (and it's politicians) are the way they are and think the way they do.
Easy to read due to the short chapter structure but I felt some themes could have been explored further, at times it felt a bit short.
piedwarbler's review
4.0
Excellent, concise and thoughtful reflections on Eton College - if you don’t know much about Eton, this might surprise you. There wasn’t much in there that surprised me but I did enjoy it, it certainly makes you think about the class structure in this country, and how your future depends so much on who you know and how wealthy your parents are.
half_book_and_co's review against another edition
4.0
When Musa Okwonga was eleven years old, the child of refugees from Uganda growing up in a suburban English town, he watched a documentary about the prestigious all-boys school Eton College and decided that is where he needed to go to. Some time in a prep school later, he actually makes it and spends the rest of his school time at Eton surrounded by a student body which mostly consisted of (white) boys from rich and affluent families – many of whom, of course, would go on to hold powerful positions/ make a lot more money. The alumni of the school also includes Boris Johnson and other people of his political ilk.
Musa turns to his time at Eton and asks how this school has shaped him and those around him and how the school might have contributed to the inhumane, racist, conservative politics dominating the UK in recent years especially (but of course also before). As a person who often looks quite harshly at her surroundings (and herself), I always admire Musa’s effort for kindness. This also makes this book so interesting for it allows you to understand what an educational environment stuffed with such resources as Eton can offer its students (which obviously makes you wish for more resources and care for all schools). But Musa’s reflections also lay open clearly how the entire setup of the school (from the architecture to school uniform to who gets access etc) never challenges the privileges many of its students arrive with and nurture their sense of entitlement.
“One of Them” though is not purely an analysis of power structures in Eton and the UK but first and foremost a tender, reflective memoir. Musa allows us to see the young eager boy with all his dreams as well as the middle-aged men with his self-doubt and insecurities. The book starts with an invitation to a Eton reunion and Musa’s thoughts on how he would compare his years after graduation to those of his fellow students. He writes: „My best years are ahead of me, I tell myself. They have to be.” There are many beautifully rendered vulnerable moments like that which make this an Eton college book and at the same time so much more.
Musa turns to his time at Eton and asks how this school has shaped him and those around him and how the school might have contributed to the inhumane, racist, conservative politics dominating the UK in recent years especially (but of course also before). As a person who often looks quite harshly at her surroundings (and herself), I always admire Musa’s effort for kindness. This also makes this book so interesting for it allows you to understand what an educational environment stuffed with such resources as Eton can offer its students (which obviously makes you wish for more resources and care for all schools). But Musa’s reflections also lay open clearly how the entire setup of the school (from the architecture to school uniform to who gets access etc) never challenges the privileges many of its students arrive with and nurture their sense of entitlement.
“One of Them” though is not purely an analysis of power structures in Eton and the UK but first and foremost a tender, reflective memoir. Musa allows us to see the young eager boy with all his dreams as well as the middle-aged men with his self-doubt and insecurities. The book starts with an invitation to a Eton reunion and Musa’s thoughts on how he would compare his years after graduation to those of his fellow students. He writes: „My best years are ahead of me, I tell myself. They have to be.” There are many beautifully rendered vulnerable moments like that which make this an Eton college book and at the same time so much more.
kittymamers's review against another edition
5.0
see raamat oli minu meelest maailmast küll täiesti puudu - ühe Etonis õppinud mehe mälestused ja mõtisklused sel teemal, kuidas see kõik oli ja mida talle andis, aga ka laiemalt, kuidas see kool ja selle vilistlased me praegust maailma mõjutavad.
puudu oli see vast suures osas sellepärast, et insiderid eriti ei jaga oma Etoni-kogemust, see on osa... kooli kultuurist. aga Okwonga oli ses mõttes pigem outsider, et mustanahaline, Uganda sõjapõgenike perest keskklassi poiss, kes lihtsalt tahtis ka heasse kooli õppima saada ja kelle ema väärtustas haridust niivõrd, et suutis talle seda lubada (abiks ka 50% stipendium ja see, et tollal - Okwonga on praegu 42, seega käis koolis täpselt minuga samal ajal, 80-ndate teisel poolel ja 90ndatel - oli Etoni õppemaks kolm korda madalam kui praegu ja seega sai sellise taustaga õpilane seda endale lubada, enam ei saaks).
ja oligi hea kool, mingis osas teeb lausa kadedaks. Okwonga enda töövõime avaldab ka muljet (ta arvutas ühel hetkel välja, et iga ta koolipäev maksab ta emale 20 naela, ja otsustas selle raha eest viimase võtta - mõistan seda lähenemist:)), aga selgelt on sellele seltskonnale seal antud parimad õpetajad ja kõik maailma võimalused.
see pole tegelikult üldse väga pikk raamat ja jutt on üsna napp, pigem sellised... pildikesed. aga õudselt hästi kirjutatud ja annab väga hea sissevaate sellesse, kuidas privileeg töötab.
“No one here ever tells us out loud that we Etonians are natural leaders: that is what the architecture is for. In one of the rooms, where students gather now and then, I find the mounted bust of every boy who has gone on to be the leader of the country. My boarding houses look like government buildings.”
sinna juurde on see kõik väga diskreetne, ühegi koolikaaslase nime (k.a. "leaders of the country") ei nimetata, ise võid välja arvutada, kes on kes. samuti ei öelda kellegi ega millegi kohta halvasti. aegajalt on tunda autori... hämmingut ja/või sisekonflikti.
ja siis muidugi räägib see raamat ka ühe minu vanuse briti mustanahalise mehe elust ja üleskasvamisest ja sellest, kuidas ta rass ta elu on mõjutanud, ja kuigi selles pole mulle otseselt ühtegi uudist (loen piisavalt vasakpoolseid ajalehti), siis kurb ja mõtlemapanev on ikka. aga Okwonga ei unusta pea hetkekski lisada, et Eton oli ta turvapaik, kuhu rassism ei ulatanud. ta teadvustab oma privileegi igal sammul. ja minu meelest tunneb end selle tõttu ka süüdi. tunne, mis enamust ta koolikaaslasi küll ühelgi moel vaevavat ei paista.
"Shamelessness is the superpower of a certain section of the English upper classes. While so many other people in the country are hamstrung by the deference and social embarrassment they have been taught since birth, the upper classes calmly parade on through the street and boardrooms to claim the spoils. They don't learn shamelessness at Eton, but this is where they perfect it."
puudu oli see vast suures osas sellepärast, et insiderid eriti ei jaga oma Etoni-kogemust, see on osa... kooli kultuurist. aga Okwonga oli ses mõttes pigem outsider, et mustanahaline, Uganda sõjapõgenike perest keskklassi poiss, kes lihtsalt tahtis ka heasse kooli õppima saada ja kelle ema väärtustas haridust niivõrd, et suutis talle seda lubada (abiks ka 50% stipendium ja see, et tollal - Okwonga on praegu 42, seega käis koolis täpselt minuga samal ajal, 80-ndate teisel poolel ja 90ndatel - oli Etoni õppemaks kolm korda madalam kui praegu ja seega sai sellise taustaga õpilane seda endale lubada, enam ei saaks).
ja oligi hea kool, mingis osas teeb lausa kadedaks. Okwonga enda töövõime avaldab ka muljet (ta arvutas ühel hetkel välja, et iga ta koolipäev maksab ta emale 20 naela, ja otsustas selle raha eest viimase võtta - mõistan seda lähenemist:)), aga selgelt on sellele seltskonnale seal antud parimad õpetajad ja kõik maailma võimalused.
see pole tegelikult üldse väga pikk raamat ja jutt on üsna napp, pigem sellised... pildikesed. aga õudselt hästi kirjutatud ja annab väga hea sissevaate sellesse, kuidas privileeg töötab.
“No one here ever tells us out loud that we Etonians are natural leaders: that is what the architecture is for. In one of the rooms, where students gather now and then, I find the mounted bust of every boy who has gone on to be the leader of the country. My boarding houses look like government buildings.”
sinna juurde on see kõik väga diskreetne, ühegi koolikaaslase nime (k.a. "leaders of the country") ei nimetata, ise võid välja arvutada, kes on kes. samuti ei öelda kellegi ega millegi kohta halvasti. aegajalt on tunda autori... hämmingut ja/või sisekonflikti.
ja siis muidugi räägib see raamat ka ühe minu vanuse briti mustanahalise mehe elust ja üleskasvamisest ja sellest, kuidas ta rass ta elu on mõjutanud, ja kuigi selles pole mulle otseselt ühtegi uudist (loen piisavalt vasakpoolseid ajalehti), siis kurb ja mõtlemapanev on ikka. aga Okwonga ei unusta pea hetkekski lisada, et Eton oli ta turvapaik, kuhu rassism ei ulatanud. ta teadvustab oma privileegi igal sammul. ja minu meelest tunneb end selle tõttu ka süüdi. tunne, mis enamust ta koolikaaslasi küll ühelgi moel vaevavat ei paista.
"Shamelessness is the superpower of a certain section of the English upper classes. While so many other people in the country are hamstrung by the deference and social embarrassment they have been taught since birth, the upper classes calmly parade on through the street and boardrooms to claim the spoils. They don't learn shamelessness at Eton, but this is where they perfect it."
davidgilani's review against another edition
4.0
Musa Okwonga shares his experience of going to Eton - Britain's most notorious private school. I haven't read a book from anyone who's been through a similar experience, so it was interesting to see his perspective on it all. It was refreshing how critical he was of the school, as you'd expect most alumni to tow the party line at this point. Book is also quite short, which I think is important as there was definitely a risk of going into far too much detail and becoming more of an autobiography than a commentary on what it means to belong in the most exclusive of communities.
thelibraryofimagination's review against another edition
4.0
Synopsis:
Musa Okwonga was fortunate to attend Eton College. This book depicts his personal experiences during his time receiving an affluent education. Unfortunately, not many teens have the same privilege. I suppose Musa shouldn’t have either. He is black and comes from a middle class family. A rare ‘class’ to find at Eton. Fortunately his intelligence gained him acceptance, his mother worked hard to make it happen and Musa challenged himself to not be successful, but to exceed.
The Writing:
I enjoyed Musa’s writing. He shares anonymous anecdotes of his classmates, their antics and their struggles in a lighthearted, yet respectful way. He also shares his struggles as a student, as a black teenager in attending a predominantly white school and living in a black neighbourhood.
The Story:
The stories that Musa share are both entertaining and enlightening. He describes the private life of Eton College in a public way while maintaining anonymity and preserving the reputations of those he speaks of. Musa’s story is unique. He shares his perspectives and insights with a voice of compassion and contemplation.
The Themes:
Although this book is not about race, or class or culture, it does delve into these topics at a surface level. The more prominent themes are friendship, dedication, perseverance and acceptance - of oneself and of others.
My Impression:
One of Them was an entertaining read. I enjoyed reading about Musa’s experience at Eton even though not all of it was comfortable or even relatable. I was also intrigued by the character descriptions and how they alluded to the real-life person without actually identifying them. I applaud Musa for his ingenious writing in this respect.
It was especially nice that Musa added comments to the online discussion as we read. I have to thank him, the publisher and The Pigeonhole for the online book club reading experience.
Musa Okwonga was fortunate to attend Eton College. This book depicts his personal experiences during his time receiving an affluent education. Unfortunately, not many teens have the same privilege. I suppose Musa shouldn’t have either. He is black and comes from a middle class family. A rare ‘class’ to find at Eton. Fortunately his intelligence gained him acceptance, his mother worked hard to make it happen and Musa challenged himself to not be successful, but to exceed.
The Writing:
I enjoyed Musa’s writing. He shares anonymous anecdotes of his classmates, their antics and their struggles in a lighthearted, yet respectful way. He also shares his struggles as a student, as a black teenager in attending a predominantly white school and living in a black neighbourhood.
The Story:
The stories that Musa share are both entertaining and enlightening. He describes the private life of Eton College in a public way while maintaining anonymity and preserving the reputations of those he speaks of. Musa’s story is unique. He shares his perspectives and insights with a voice of compassion and contemplation.
The Themes:
Although this book is not about race, or class or culture, it does delve into these topics at a surface level. The more prominent themes are friendship, dedication, perseverance and acceptance - of oneself and of others.
My Impression:
One of Them was an entertaining read. I enjoyed reading about Musa’s experience at Eton even though not all of it was comfortable or even relatable. I was also intrigued by the character descriptions and how they alluded to the real-life person without actually identifying them. I applaud Musa for his ingenious writing in this respect.
It was especially nice that Musa added comments to the online discussion as we read. I have to thank him, the publisher and The Pigeonhole for the online book club reading experience.