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sidharthvardhan's review against another edition
3.0
There are many books for which if I was editor, I would have told their author's to give the work another year. It is that kind of book. Great promise but it loses its way in second half. Plus, it should probably have been much bigger
iantilnic's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
lalalolaola's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
simonnomis's review against another edition
funny
sad
slow-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? Yes
2.5
gemmamilne's review against another edition
3.0
This was a nice read - I flew through it with its pacey story and whipsmart humour, but I must admit I didn’t really connect with it.
The first half is the story of a boy, Moses for short, in an orphanage during 1970s Congo - and this was my favourite part of the book, with its rich characters and wonderful tale of boyhood in pretty dire circumstances. The second half is when Moses escapes the orphanage for a nearby town, where he ends up hanging out with petty thieves, is taken in by a kindly brothel mistress, and then starts to build a life of sorts. This then switches tone for the last quarter - no spoilers - and ends on an intriguing note.
I found the characters really fascinating, the depiction of Congo at the time really gripping, and the humour pretty masterful, but I felt like I was reading across the surface of a book as opposed to really getting into it - which is strange considering I sat and read it in one go.
I did enjoy this book, but I wasn’t moved as such.
The first half is the story of a boy, Moses for short, in an orphanage during 1970s Congo - and this was my favourite part of the book, with its rich characters and wonderful tale of boyhood in pretty dire circumstances. The second half is when Moses escapes the orphanage for a nearby town, where he ends up hanging out with petty thieves, is taken in by a kindly brothel mistress, and then starts to build a life of sorts. This then switches tone for the last quarter - no spoilers - and ends on an intriguing note.
I found the characters really fascinating, the depiction of Congo at the time really gripping, and the humour pretty masterful, but I felt like I was reading across the surface of a book as opposed to really getting into it - which is strange considering I sat and read it in one go.
I did enjoy this book, but I wasn’t moved as such.
slnewman89's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 I read this as a recommendation from a librarian. I was interested in a good character novel by an international author. I did like the characters in this, but I found certain aspects of the plotline didn't circle back as I had hoped and other aspects related to storyline could have been developed more.
readwithkapz's review against another edition
3.0
‘Black Moses’ by Alain Mabanckou
Book review:
‘Black Moses’ is a fictional novel which centres around Moses, a young Congolese boy who grows up in an orphanage in Loango.
The backdrop of the novel takes place in the People’s Republic of Congo during the 1970s, during the Marxist-Leninist revolution.
Having read the blurb, initially I thought this novel would be an interesting read. But upon reflection, I feel very frustrated with it.
There were elements of the novel which showed promise. I was often intrigued by insights into the histories of Congo Brazzaville and The Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, I struggled to connect with the novel and often felt disengaged. There were often sections of unnecessary dialogue and pointless jargon. The plot was ‘comme ci, comme ça’, with the structure of the novel very frustrating.
It’s not a bad book. But it’s far from a good book.
It had promise, but failed to deliver sadly.
Book review:
‘Black Moses’ is a fictional novel which centres around Moses, a young Congolese boy who grows up in an orphanage in Loango.
The backdrop of the novel takes place in the People’s Republic of Congo during the 1970s, during the Marxist-Leninist revolution.
Having read the blurb, initially I thought this novel would be an interesting read. But upon reflection, I feel very frustrated with it.
There were elements of the novel which showed promise. I was often intrigued by insights into the histories of Congo Brazzaville and The Democratic Republic of Congo.
However, I struggled to connect with the novel and often felt disengaged. There were often sections of unnecessary dialogue and pointless jargon. The plot was ‘comme ci, comme ça’, with the structure of the novel very frustrating.
It’s not a bad book. But it’s far from a good book.
It had promise, but failed to deliver sadly.
pearloz's review against another edition
4.0
Solid book about growing up in a Congolese orphanage. First third of the novel concerns Moses and his day to day; second third is about Moses after he and the twins escape, and his relationship with the women in brothel (mostly maternal); the final third of the novel concerns Moses's deteriorating mental health due to malnutrition. I wish the book, rather than going into that final third, had expanded the first two sections because they were so rich and illuminating and interesting, and the last part of the book...wasn't.