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bookofcinz's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
3.0
I have been putting off reading this collection but after visiting Nairobi I figured it was time for me to dive into it and I am happy I did.
This collect showcases the diverse characters of Nairobi, what they experience, their dreams and failures. Some of the stories were strong and the others fell a bit short. The Noir series is very dark but some light do shine in these stories and characters.
This collect showcases the diverse characters of Nairobi, what they experience, their dreams and failures. Some of the stories were strong and the others fell a bit short. The Noir series is very dark but some light do shine in these stories and characters.
rosie_ac's review against another edition
3.0
A collection of short stories by Kenyan writers about Nairobi. Variable - some amazing, others didn’t grab me so much. Most pretty dark in tone.
lykkeelis's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
Brutal, but a vivid, detailed insight into different parts of the city.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual violence, Police brutality, Violence, and Abortion
kemunto's review against another edition
3.0
It says the range of issues explored in this is as diverse as it’s contributors. Nairobi Noir reads like one story with multiple authors. It's poverty... story after story. I got bored 3 stories in. I wish there was another topic explored. Njega, from SAY YOU ARE NOT MY SON by FAITH ONEYA stole my heart. A SONG FROM A FORGOTTEN PLACE by TROY ONYANGO and it’s spell-binding writing was the best one. THE HERMIT IN THE HELMET almost, but not quite as good as Njamba Nene and The flying bus!! oops
Honorable mentions: 4-5 stars.
Number Sita.
For our Mothers.
Mathree.
(All 5/5 writing)
Honorable mentions: 4-5 stars.
Number Sita.
For our Mothers.
Mathree.
(All 5/5 writing)
aloiyeva's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
stunnerz25's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
4.0
msanii_wa_kale's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
tense
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
5.0
2treads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
..all that we do is for our mothers. –Satu
That phrase followed me into every subsequent story while bringing me back to previous ones, highlighting the presence of women in the spaces where these stories occurred: as mothers, daughters, sisters, and daughters, where they were agitators, defenders, lovers, and supporters; even as they are most often victimized and made victims.
Even within stories where they were not the main focus, the events revolved around them in such a way to let the reader know that without these women, our characters motivations and actions would have been meaningless.
But I'd have liked to see these stories be more representative of the social and economic make-up of Kenya. Noir can occur outside of poverty and poor living conditions.
I am still searching for the Noir in Ngūgī Wa Thiong'o's selection as it was a folklore and had no elements of violence or even menace.
She Dug Two Graves and A Song from a Forgotten Place are the stories that stood out as they centred women and their responses to loss caused by a corrupt police system and mental illness. Both authors depicted their characters with a depth and poignancy and also a gentleness that was appreciated.
That phrase followed me into every subsequent story while bringing me back to previous ones, highlighting the presence of women in the spaces where these stories occurred: as mothers, daughters, sisters, and daughters, where they were agitators, defenders, lovers, and supporters; even as they are most often victimized and made victims.
Even within stories where they were not the main focus, the events revolved around them in such a way to let the reader know that without these women, our characters motivations and actions would have been meaningless.
But I'd have liked to see these stories be more representative of the social and economic make-up of Kenya. Noir can occur outside of poverty and poor living conditions.
I am still searching for the Noir in Ngūgī Wa Thiong'o's selection as it was a folklore and had no elements of violence or even menace.
She Dug Two Graves and A Song from a Forgotten Place are the stories that stood out as they centred women and their responses to loss caused by a corrupt police system and mental illness. Both authors depicted their characters with a depth and poignancy and also a gentleness that was appreciated.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Violence, Sexual violence, Police brutality, Mental illness, and Gun violence
dgrachel's review against another edition
4.0
Another phenomenal entry in the Akashic Noir series, Nairobi Noir is one the publisher can be proud of. Almost all of the 14 stories are exquisitely written. I appreciated that only one of these had the kind of violence that I find truly disturbing, and even though I'm not sure they all fall under the "noir" category, they were enjoyable stories that created a vivid sense of place and people. This is probably one of the top two Akashic Noir collections I've read. There were only two that disappointed me. The rest were wonderful, even if they didn't all meet my expectation of "noir". "The Hermit in the Helmet" by Ngugi was Thiong'o was more of a fable than something I would expect to read in a collection of noir, but I absolutely loved it. "A Song from a Forgotten Place" by Troy Onyango was probably the darkest, most heartbreaking story here. "She Dug Two Graves" by Winfred Kiunga and "Plot Ten" by Caroline Mose were probably my favorites.