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analyticalchaos's review against another edition
3.0
Minutes of Glory and Other Stories is a semi-autobiographical collection of short stories. The author, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, grew up in post-colonial Kenya. His stories feature themes of colonization, racism, Kenyan culture, and the effects of poverty.
This collection had its highs and lows, though most of the stories failed to hit their mark. The prose of the stories feels stilted.
My favorites of this collection include:
The Martyr: A worker for a wealthy white matron reflects on an upsurge of violence against foreign residents
A Meeting in the Dark: An educated son of a Christian convert tries to hide from the sins he's committed
Goodbye Africa: A white Englishman desires to leave Africa with his wife
A Wedding at the Cross: A converted wife desperately misses her husband's personality before he converted
Without a Shadow of Doubt: Beautiful remembrance of childhood
Other stories like A Mercedes Funeral and Minutes of Glory really fell flat for me. They droned on too long to have an effective ending.
This collection had its highs and lows, though most of the stories failed to hit their mark. The prose of the stories feels stilted.
My favorites of this collection include:
The Martyr: A worker for a wealthy white matron reflects on an upsurge of violence against foreign residents
A Meeting in the Dark: An educated son of a Christian convert tries to hide from the sins he's committed
Goodbye Africa: A white Englishman desires to leave Africa with his wife
A Wedding at the Cross: A converted wife desperately misses her husband's personality before he converted
Without a Shadow of Doubt: Beautiful remembrance of childhood
Other stories like A Mercedes Funeral and Minutes of Glory really fell flat for me. They droned on too long to have an effective ending.
aloiyeva's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
breadorcheese's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars.
Many of these short stories are fantastic and leave the reader wanting more, but still giving a satisfying end. There were a few stories that didn't quite do it for me, but for me that's normal in short story collections.
Many of these short stories are fantastic and leave the reader wanting more, but still giving a satisfying end. There were a few stories that didn't quite do it for me, but for me that's normal in short story collections.
ashahidian's review against another edition
4.0
Usually, in a short story collection, there are lots of ups and downs. It's the type of book that normally gets an average rating because of that. This book though, it's got strong story after strong story with only one exception. I was only unable to connect to the Mercedes story, and after a couple of tries gave up in order to appreciate the remainder of the book.
These stories from Kenya collect so many perspectives: you get the girl working at a bar feeling unloved, the religious boy meant for the white school who has a child on the way, a convert feeling as though he's praying to the wrong God, the husband doing everything he can to show his bride's family he's worth it, a woman envying another's child, a priest brainwashing his parish.. even though some of the stories are only a couple of pages long, you are able to connect with the characters and feel as if you understand what they are going through. Very well written and enjoyable.
Also, this cover is beautiful. I'm a sucker for a beautiful cover.
(book obtained from netgalley, to provide my personal opinion)
These stories from Kenya collect so many perspectives: you get the girl working at a bar feeling unloved, the religious boy meant for the white school who has a child on the way, a convert feeling as though he's praying to the wrong God, the husband doing everything he can to show his bride's family he's worth it, a woman envying another's child, a priest brainwashing his parish.. even though some of the stories are only a couple of pages long, you are able to connect with the characters and feel as if you understand what they are going through. Very well written and enjoyable.
Also, this cover is beautiful. I'm a sucker for a beautiful cover.
(book obtained from netgalley, to provide my personal opinion)
svtiwari1's review against another edition
5.0
Collection of stories by the Kenyan author is set during British colonial rule and resistance in Kenya into early days of independence. I appreciated the range of perspectives and experiences highlighted in this book and it was a p quick read. Global South melancholia is definitely one of my favorite things to read
kentexmom's review against another edition
4.0
These 15 stories take place at various time throughout Kenya's history: colonial, the fight for independence, post-colonial. They are all good stories and also thought provoking, revealing many different perspectives. I liked them all, but have a definite favorite, which is: Without a Shadow of a Doubt.
moseslh's review against another edition
5.0
I got this as an Advance Reading Copy (so the final version could be different). I was already in the middle of several books, but I got so absorbed by this one that I still read it in three days.
The stories are organized thematically—Mothers & Children, Fighters & Martyrs, Secret Lives, and Shadows & Priests. As a general rule, I liked each story better than the last.
Prior to this book, the only book I had read by Ngũgĩ was [b:Wizard of the Crow|57485|Wizard of the Crow|Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1421903577s/57485.jpg|848502], which was a hilarious novel full of magic. Because of this, I was initially surprised to see the realism and seriousness of most stories in Minutes of Glory (with the exception of "The Ghost of Michael Jackson"), but they were still excellent. Some highlights:
"The Martyr" is a fascinating critique of liberal colonialism and the ways that colonialism prevents people from seeing each other as fully human. "Wedding at the Cross" deals with class and the politics of respectability in a powerful way. "A Mercedes Funeral" is a wild ride all the way through.
My favorites were the last two stories. "Without a Shadow of Doubt" is a really cute story that seemed to be nonfictional/autobiographical about the narrator and his brother trying to catch shadows as children and the discoveries they made. "The Ghost of Michael Jackson" was a bizarre fantasy story critiquing the hypocrisy of religious leaders.
Overall, this is the best short story collection I've read in a while, and I plan to go find more of Ngũgĩ's books.
The stories are organized thematically—Mothers & Children, Fighters & Martyrs, Secret Lives, and Shadows & Priests. As a general rule, I liked each story better than the last.
Prior to this book, the only book I had read by Ngũgĩ was [b:Wizard of the Crow|57485|Wizard of the Crow|Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1421903577s/57485.jpg|848502], which was a hilarious novel full of magic. Because of this, I was initially surprised to see the realism and seriousness of most stories in Minutes of Glory (with the exception of "The Ghost of Michael Jackson"), but they were still excellent. Some highlights:
"The Martyr" is a fascinating critique of liberal colonialism and the ways that colonialism prevents people from seeing each other as fully human. "Wedding at the Cross" deals with class and the politics of respectability in a powerful way. "A Mercedes Funeral" is a wild ride all the way through.
My favorites were the last two stories. "Without a Shadow of Doubt" is a really cute story that seemed to be nonfictional/autobiographical about the narrator and his brother trying to catch shadows as children and the discoveries they made. "The Ghost of Michael Jackson" was a bizarre fantasy story critiquing the hypocrisy of religious leaders.
Overall, this is the best short story collection I've read in a while, and I plan to go find more of Ngũgĩ's books.
graceesford's review
funny
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Slavery, and Racism
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, War, Rape, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Sexual harassment
staycee_franklyn's review against another edition
4.0
Great storytelling. Ngugi's stories are complex and deal with the concepts of identity and culture in varying degrees.
I enjoyed the stories involving women protagonists. I felt that those stories showed perspective without being gender biased. Although these were short stories, I felt connected and invested in the characters.
Ngugi's writing style is very simple but intentional. He places dynamic fictional characters in the context of Kenya's history before, during, and after colonization. He uses the characters lives to examine the effects of colonization, neo colonialism, and christianity on the Kenyan identity.
A very enjoyable and thought provoking read.
I enjoyed the stories involving women protagonists. I felt that those stories showed perspective without being gender biased. Although these were short stories, I felt connected and invested in the characters.
Ngugi's writing style is very simple but intentional. He places dynamic fictional characters in the context of Kenya's history before, during, and after colonization. He uses the characters lives to examine the effects of colonization, neo colonialism, and christianity on the Kenyan identity.
A very enjoyable and thought provoking read.
gurofl's review against another edition
4.75
This was such a good collection of stories. Almost every one of them just drew me in instantly.