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theskyboi's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Honestly, I had expected so much from this book. A man is battling with the devil, and he wonders whether he should be hospitalized for a psychotic episode. On the surface, the story seemed to be delivering a powerful, meaningful message, but I cannot help but wonder if I was the ideal audience member for this spectacle.
What I will commend the author for is the quality of the short stories interspersed within the novel; these are not at all directly related to the story, but they were so much richer and more well developed than any of the scenes starring the protagonist, Jacob. It seemed that there were too many storylines competing for my attention in order for me to truly enjoy this work.
Another portion of this book that did seem redeemable to me were the tales of Jacob's childhood, where he was raised by the women of the brothel that his mother worked at. Sad and tortured though it was, this story carried with it hope for a better future and the candid vulnerability of life seen through a child's innocence. Were the novel entirely based upon this, I feel it would have faired better.
Adding to the mix of fictional stories penned by Jacob, his life's retrospective, and his conversations with the devil are the memories of his lost family. First, he details how he lost connection with his mother, and later as an adult, he grapples with the devastating loss of his partner and his closest friends during the AIDS crisis. As powerful as this message should have been, it suffered the same fate as other portions of this busy book.
Least effective of all were the tales of Jacob's masochistic sexual exploits, which bordered on abuse, and the inclusion of various whimsical and somewhat queer interpretations of Christian saints for the devil to volley back and forth with as he determined what to do with Jacob's soul. I feel that these two gruesome and boring segments, respectively, were the final nail in the coffin, killing any chance of artistic impact.
To someone else, this novel might have served as some abstract experimentation of the written word, but to me, it was an unfinished draft that left me questioning whether the author had too many simultaneous ambitions for his own good. While I still had a good time with some of the aforementioned sections, I still wish I had not been dealt a string of unfinished books that were poorly stitched together.
What I will commend the author for is the quality of the short stories interspersed within the novel; these are not at all directly related to the story, but they were so much richer and more well developed than any of the scenes starring the protagonist, Jacob. It seemed that there were too many storylines competing for my attention in order for me to truly enjoy this work.
Another portion of this book that did seem redeemable to me were the tales of Jacob's childhood, where he was raised by the women of the brothel that his mother worked at. Sad and tortured though it was, this story carried with it hope for a better future and the candid vulnerability of life seen through a child's innocence. Were the novel entirely based upon this, I feel it would have faired better.
Adding to the mix of fictional stories penned by Jacob, his life's retrospective, and his conversations with the devil are the memories of his lost family. First, he details how he lost connection with his mother, and later as an adult, he grapples with the devastating loss of his partner and his closest friends during the AIDS crisis. As powerful as this message should have been, it suffered the same fate as other portions of this busy book.
Least effective of all were the tales of Jacob's masochistic sexual exploits, which bordered on abuse, and the inclusion of various whimsical and somewhat queer interpretations of Christian saints for the devil to volley back and forth with as he determined what to do with Jacob's soul. I feel that these two gruesome and boring segments, respectively, were the final nail in the coffin, killing any chance of artistic impact.
To someone else, this novel might have served as some abstract experimentation of the written word, but to me, it was an unfinished draft that left me questioning whether the author had too many simultaneous ambitions for his own good. While I still had a good time with some of the aforementioned sections, I still wish I had not been dealt a string of unfinished books that were poorly stitched together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Sexual violence, War, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Islamophobia, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Slavery, and Xenophobia
n_asyikin_'s review
challenging
dark
reflective
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
4.5
The story is raw, never one to hold back from the viciousness of its truth. It explores how one's identity was shaped through an existential conundrum our MC Ya'qub or Jacob went through, brought about by the grief he was experiencing from the lost of his beloved from AIDS - and also, from being neglected, by his parents and harsh circumstances, as a child.
It was meant to be rather reflective and highly character-driven; the story was not told in a linear timeline. With that, some may find Ya'qub to be an inconsistent narrator - but I think that was only to accentuate the befuddlement he was experiencing.
Iblis, Death & The Saints provided interesting perspectives. Their quips provide something light & funny (despite mostly in cynicism) into this mainly heavy story.
'The Angel of History' also touched upon imperialism & its inherent attrocity, highlighting upon how racist views made dehumanization easy. Or rather perhaps, it shows how racializing - therefore, othering - people made dehumanizing easy; it was something to be seen, reading about a brown American demonizing the people whom otherwise shared his background - the colonizing of his mind started when he was sent to a European religious school.
Fair warning, this book is graphic in its violence - and it can get difficult to read. But I think it does have a lot of important things to say, especially in regards to the injustices a queer brown/black man from the Global South was subjected to, being displaced from his home, raised & taught to see himself as unworthy of acceptance & love due to the colour of his skin & his place of origin.
It was a powerful, heartwrenching read.
It was meant to be rather reflective and highly character-driven; the story was not told in a linear timeline. With that, some may find Ya'qub to be an inconsistent narrator - but I think that was only to accentuate the befuddlement he was experiencing.
Iblis, Death & The Saints provided interesting perspectives. Their quips provide something light & funny (despite mostly in cynicism) into this mainly heavy story.
'The Angel of History' also touched upon imperialism & its inherent attrocity, highlighting upon how racist views made dehumanization easy. Or rather perhaps, it shows how racializing - therefore, othering - people made dehumanizing easy; it was something to be seen, reading about a brown American demonizing the people whom otherwise shared his background - the colonizing of his mind started when he was sent to a European religious school.
Fair warning, this book is graphic in its violence - and it can get difficult to read. But I think it does have a lot of important things to say, especially in regards to the injustices a queer brown/black man from the Global South was subjected to, being displaced from his home, raised & taught to see himself as unworthy of acceptance & love due to the colour of his skin & his place of origin.
It was a powerful, heartwrenching read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Genocide, Grief, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Medical content, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
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