Reviews

A Down Home Meal for These Difficult Times by Meron Hadero

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josephineanne's review

Short stories/library ebook, due back.

A Down Home Meal for These Difficult Times is a collection of short stories exploring migration; the process, impact and importance, the fear and suspicion that accompanies, the time it takes to replant roots, the need to keep contact with home and the connection with home that might be lost. Through these stories, you can tell Hadero is very perceptive, the character interactions are so genuine and raw.

"First we mourn the grief we bear, then later we mourn the grief we've caused"

"And for you all, stand steady against the harshness around us, and declare with conviction, that here or away, you will find your home. Peace be with you."

Each story follow a different dynamic, from a young woman visiting home for the first time to a young boy acclimatising to American culture and the societal enforcement and erasure of identity to gain belonging and masculinity.

Thanks to Canongate Books for sending this copy to me.

robynisabelle's review

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challenging reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

jackievr's review

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emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

kazwi's review

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reflective 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

4.0

I usually struggle with short stories, but found the content varied and insightful.

bookofcinz's review against another edition

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3.0

Some stories were brilliant, others, not so much. Overall, an interesting read.

dflevitt's review

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emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

kappafrog's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

This was a really great collection. I knew very little about Ethiopian diaspora communities before reading. Hadero opened my eyes to the many different worlds alive in just that one sector of society.

The thing I liked best about this collection was Hadero's writing style. I highlighted many thoughtful and beautiful passages. I was also impressed by her ability to inhabit the minds of such a wide variety of characters.

The stories that stood out the most to me were "The Street Sweep", "Sinkholes", "The Life and Times of the Little Manuscript and Anonymous", and "The Elders." As with any collection, some stories passed quickly from my memory after finishing them, but there was a lot of great material here.