Reviews

O Pomar das Almas Perdidas by Nadifa Mohamed

kimber's review against another edition

reflective sad tense fast-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

4.5

mellabella's review against another edition

4.0

The Orchard of Lost Souls starts with the 18th anniversary that brought the current military dictator in Somalia to power. We are introduced to Kawsar, a widow in her 50's. She seems well off. Deqo, a young orphan who was abandoned at a refugee camp. And, Filsan. Filsan is a young female soldier whose father was also in the military. But now, is disgraced. She is very dedicated. But her gender, and fathers shame keeps her from attaining any sort of higher position in her career. The three parts of the book are told from each characters point of view. The characters interconnect. I liked Deqo's character the most. I kept hoping nothing would happen to her. Kawsar is scarred by her daughters death. This was after multiple still births. Her husband (who was chief of police. But refused to be corrupted) also died. Leaving her alone. She was hardened, but still soft when needed. Filsan was a character that was unlikeable. But, kind of redeemed herself at the end. Kawsar tells most of her story from her bed. After Filsan fractures her hip. She beat her for trying to save Deqo from a beating. We are told their stories in the present and in flashback as war looms near. Very engrossing.

manaledi's review against another edition

4.0

This was a good meditation on war and Nation and dictatorship through three women with intersecting lives. Makes me want to learn more about Somaliland.

thewakeless's review against another edition

3.75

 Set against the backdrop of the start of the Somalian Civil War this story follows three women, a refugee orphan, a 30 year old soldier, and a 60ish women who's family is left disabled after being arrested and who's family is all dead. The book is at point brutal, but very beautiful. I feel like the author has a specific talent for bringing attention to detail, and has a talent for scensory descriptions. I think the start and end of the book are a bit clumsy (these are the points where the women's stories intersect) but I like the idea of her wanting to write a story in which they all survive and end up together, as a family, that is touching. Each of the women's stories is complex, particularly that of the soldier, there is so much brutality that they endure and that they then emulate. 

ninjakiwi12's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

3.0

Fun(ny) fact(s): I picked up this book for £3 at Oxfam during my first week in Cambridge when I was exploring some of the local used bookshops, and I finally read it (mostly on the train and in the airport on my way to meet Anna!) several months later as part of my goal to read more this year (even as I do chemistry full-time).

Favorite quote/image: "If they are killed right here, would their ghosts continue as they are...? She can imagine that, the silence and peacefulness of it, a source of envy to passers-by - battling with the rage and chaos of life - who happen to glance in through the barred window." (pg. 317-318)

Honourable mention: "It isn't the cleanliness she is used to - patches of her skin have not touched any water at all - but it is enough to make her feel human again; soap, warm water, and the touch of another's hand has that power now." (pg. 147)

Why: Set in Somalia in the late 1980s on the eve of civil war, The Orchard of Lost Souls is a captivating, quickly-moving, chaotic, interweaving story of three women struggling to find the meaning of hope, family, and peace amidst the swirling tides of despair, loss, and violence.

readingmanny's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

mothmans_mum's review against another edition

5.0

I loved the way this book was written following three different characters from very different walks of life. The book is written from their perspectives and each character has a very distinct voice and personality. We get to see the real life events unfolding through their eyes, filtered through their lives and experiences.

yoshyosh1's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

ediercks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

3.25

elisabsas's review

4.5

"Veste peças que fantasmas deixaram para trás e se torna, ela própria, um fantasma ainda maior, invisível aos passantes, que tropeçam ou pisam nela."