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ajkhn's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up mostly based on "Oh yeah, I've heard the name Nuruddin Farah, I should read him" and the fact that Stephanie Huntwork made a beautiful cover for this novel. I've made bigger mistakes, to be sure.
It is the story of two Somali-American brothers who go to Somalia for different reasons: one to cover the story of the Courts' war with Ethiopia, one to find his missing stepson. It's potential for a great story, and it generally was.
However, it led sometimes into Kite Runner territory. Here are the two bright, strapping, American-educated men saving Somalia from itself. There are no positive Muslim characters and no negative secularist ones. Though there is some character depth, only Qasiir comes of as a multifaceted, complex, person. Everyone else is nefarious or crusading.
There has been some criticism of the dialogue, but I actually liked it. The way characters explain their situation and give expository on the country doesn't ring true to life, but I did enjoy it in a writerly sort of way. It reminds me of Foucault's Pendulum or any of the other books where characters are clear avatars of the writer's knowledge. It doesn't make for gripping plot, but it does allow for diatribe to be done skillfully.
As a man's opinion of Somalia, it is fascinating. I know incredibly little about the country, so to see how Mr. Farah views society there and the actions of the Somali diaspora is fascinating. Islamicists, Shabaab, Pirates, etc. are all discussed. And while it is obviously not scholarly, it is a good entry opinion. I enjoyed reading this book and learning about Somalia, from the 70's to today. Or at least Farah's opinion on such.
However, as a book, it can be weak. The way the Courts are shown as monsters and Somali diaspora as all great men is a bit tiring. The appearance of nagging wives is a bit tiring. Although I did find myself holding my breath through the denouement, I wasn't thrilled with how they got there.
It's a good book, if not a great one. And that's alright.
It is the story of two Somali-American brothers who go to Somalia for different reasons: one to cover the story of the Courts' war with Ethiopia, one to find his missing stepson. It's potential for a great story, and it generally was.
However, it led sometimes into Kite Runner territory. Here are the two bright, strapping, American-educated men saving Somalia from itself. There are no positive Muslim characters and no negative secularist ones. Though there is some character depth, only Qasiir comes of as a multifaceted, complex, person. Everyone else is nefarious or crusading.
There has been some criticism of the dialogue, but I actually liked it. The way characters explain their situation and give expository on the country doesn't ring true to life, but I did enjoy it in a writerly sort of way. It reminds me of Foucault's Pendulum or any of the other books where characters are clear avatars of the writer's knowledge. It doesn't make for gripping plot, but it does allow for diatribe to be done skillfully.
As a man's opinion of Somalia, it is fascinating. I know incredibly little about the country, so to see how Mr. Farah views society there and the actions of the Somali diaspora is fascinating. Islamicists, Shabaab, Pirates, etc. are all discussed. And while it is obviously not scholarly, it is a good entry opinion. I enjoyed reading this book and learning about Somalia, from the 70's to today. Or at least Farah's opinion on such.
However, as a book, it can be weak. The way the Courts are shown as monsters and Somali diaspora as all great men is a bit tiring. The appearance of nagging wives is a bit tiring. Although I did find myself holding my breath through the denouement, I wasn't thrilled with how they got there.
It's a good book, if not a great one. And that's alright.
nataalia_sanchez's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.75
fa_biene's review
1.0
The beginning (about YoungThing) worked well and might be turned into a really good short story.
After that the writing got very jumpy, jumbled and somewhat confusing. Characters lacked depth. There were A LOT of facts and explanatory passages which felt a bit out of place / in-your-face-y.
I gave up after page 125.
After that the writing got very jumpy, jumbled and somewhat confusing. Characters lacked depth. There were A LOT of facts and explanatory passages which felt a bit out of place / in-your-face-y.
I gave up after page 125.
dangermoves's review against another edition
1.0
I guess this book just wasn't really my thing. I wasn't into the whole essay feel of it, and it seemed to be very wise and whatnot but I kind of just like to read for leisure, not to study. It was recieved from a goodreads giveaway and yeah. I didn't finish it.
mflynn111's review
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
rachelevelyn's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
catherineelkhattabystrauch's review against another edition
3.0
This book was solidly okay - definitely interesting and informative, but the writing was jumpy and there were some inconsistencies that could have been easily fixed with more editing. I loved the character of Qasiir, but a lot of the other characters seemed kind of like pawns.
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