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mpho3's review
4.0
I am thankful that Heinemann, a British publisher, has seen fit to make sure that English-speaking readers have the opportunity to experience the depth, warmth, humor, and perseverance of African characters written by African writers.
To say that Striving for the Wind is only about a rich man vs. a poor man (and a poor village) is an oversimplification. Mr. Mwangi has crafted an almost Shakespearean tale set in rural Kenya. The main protagonist is Baba Pesa, the town bully: he's toughest, meanest, and by far the richest. Eldest son Juda enjoys his position as the town drunk yet also the wisest of philosophers. Juda tends to side with the man whom Baba Pesa considers his biggest enemy--Baba Baru. Baru's crime is not caving into Pesa's demands, but he is also beholden to his own family who, like most of the village people, suffer a meager existence. Mutiso the Goatherd is the kindest and wisest of all the men, and thus often ends up spending time with the women instead of other men. While Mama Pesa and Mama Baru handle things much differently than the men, they too are bound by time-honored traditions. The two may seem docile and subservient, but they have the heaviest loads to bear, and they bear them much better than the men do. In addition, there is a dazzling array of fun characters (including Juda's dog Confucius, the Thinker) and a plot that goes in unexpected directions, including themes of religion, police brutality, farm life, poverty, brain drain, women's rights (or lack thereof), and cronyism. Ultimately, this novel speaks volumes about the effects of imperialist colonization and its aftermath.
What struck me first and foremost about this book though is the humor. I laughed aloud several times, and yet almost always I wanted to cry too. The only book I've read that has had a similar feel to it is [b:My Friend Matt and Hena the Whore|892343|My Friend Matt and Hena the Whore|Adam Zameenzad|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg|2316751] by [a:Adam Zameenad]. These types of works open up new worlds for those of us who haven't had much exposure to the so-called Third World other than the occasional sound byte on the nightly world news.
To say that Striving for the Wind is only about a rich man vs. a poor man (and a poor village) is an oversimplification. Mr. Mwangi has crafted an almost Shakespearean tale set in rural Kenya. The main protagonist is Baba Pesa, the town bully: he's toughest, meanest, and by far the richest. Eldest son Juda enjoys his position as the town drunk yet also the wisest of philosophers. Juda tends to side with the man whom Baba Pesa considers his biggest enemy--Baba Baru. Baru's crime is not caving into Pesa's demands, but he is also beholden to his own family who, like most of the village people, suffer a meager existence. Mutiso the Goatherd is the kindest and wisest of all the men, and thus often ends up spending time with the women instead of other men. While Mama Pesa and Mama Baru handle things much differently than the men, they too are bound by time-honored traditions. The two may seem docile and subservient, but they have the heaviest loads to bear, and they bear them much better than the men do. In addition, there is a dazzling array of fun characters (including Juda's dog Confucius, the Thinker) and a plot that goes in unexpected directions, including themes of religion, police brutality, farm life, poverty, brain drain, women's rights (or lack thereof), and cronyism. Ultimately, this novel speaks volumes about the effects of imperialist colonization and its aftermath.
What struck me first and foremost about this book though is the humor. I laughed aloud several times, and yet almost always I wanted to cry too. The only book I've read that has had a similar feel to it is [b:My Friend Matt and Hena the Whore|892343|My Friend Matt and Hena the Whore|Adam Zameenzad|http://www.goodreads.com/images/nocover-60x80.jpg|2316751] by [a:Adam Zameenad]. These types of works open up new worlds for those of us who haven't had much exposure to the so-called Third World other than the occasional sound byte on the nightly world news.
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