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cmervenne's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book really interesting and quite unlike others I've read, and I enjoyed the author's writing style. You get to know the the main character, a an immigrant from Tanzania named Daud, largely through hypothetical letters he writes in his head in response to things that happen to him. He struggles to exist in 1980's England where he faces both blatant and "benevolent" racism. Throughout the book, you watch him grapple with competing narratives: 1.) "One can find a better life and opportunities in Europe" and 2.) "Europe's legacy of imperialism/colonization in Africa created the conditions forcing Africans to leave in search of a better life in Europe." He's a complexly written character, and the fact that he wasn't particularly likable seemed like an honest and necessary part of the story. Among all of Daud's struggles, how could he possibly be anything other than jaded or (annoyingly) pessimistic? Most of us in his situation would also fail to be a picture of smiling resilience, and I believe that's the point.
This is definitely not a "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" narrative, nor is it a "the struggle is the identity" narrative. It reads as a more honest account of how one might grapple with with the circumstances in which Daud (like many immigrants) finds himself, and the impact it can have on one's relationships, identity, and state of mind.
This is definitely not a "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" narrative, nor is it a "the struggle is the identity" narrative. It reads as a more honest account of how one might grapple with with the circumstances in which Daud (like many immigrants) finds himself, and the impact it can have on one's relationships, identity, and state of mind.
squidjum's review
4.0
3.5
I really enjoyed Gurnah's incisive and witty prose, and keen eye for the details of even the subtlest human interactions. The rating is brought down probably only because at times Daud became a bit much even for me (and when do I not love someone railing against colonizers?!).
I really enjoyed Gurnah's incisive and witty prose, and keen eye for the details of even the subtlest human interactions. The rating is brought down probably only because at times Daud became a bit much even for me (and when do I not love someone railing against colonizers?!).
punksurfer's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
azu_rikka's review against another edition
4.0
A raw and insightful novel with biting humor. The race aspect of the story sadly reminded me of my dear friend's experience, when he moved from the Gambia to Switzerland in 2011. I will definitely read more by the author.
bukolayemi's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
In this book we meet Daud, an African immigrant working as a hospital porter in England.
While he has escaped the poverty of his old life, he faces racism, discrimination and another form poverty.
Daud maintains a small friendship group comprising of Lloyd, a young man from a white upper-middle class family and Karta, a fellow African immigrant who is always on the edge around white people and quick to call out racism.
He meets and falls for Catherine, a young British nurse.
The writing is infused with Daud’s journaling and letter writing as he comes to terms with the horrors he has left behind and the life he is living in England.
Overall, this is an ok read. Not exactly a page turner.
ruthie_wk's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
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