Reviews

For What Are Butterflies Without Their Wings by Troy Onyango

beewangu's review

sad

2.5

imaima's review

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

zyzah's review

emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

A collection of 12 short stories. They are so beautiful, so so beautiful. Some of my favourites were Little Daju, Black is the Color of Absence, and the titular story.

morybaby's review against another edition

I could not get into any story and it felt like I was forcing myself to finish. Definitely a me problem 

bookofcinz's review

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad 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? No

4.0

 A brilliant collection of short stories from Kenyan author Troy Onyango! Fresh and unforgettable!

In this collection of 12 shorts stories we are taken to Kenya to meet characters who are all going through different challenges, but at the core of all of these stories is the heart of the people we meet. The stories covers themes of belonging, identity, loneliness, love, romance, missed opportunities, family secrets and gives a snapshot of what it means to be human. 

Every single story felt deep and moving and it goes back to the brilliance of the writer. I feel so strongly for each character. My favourite stories were: 

THE MATCH 
 THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
 WHIRLWIND
 ORIGAMI 
 GOODBYE, SO LONG 
 LITTLE DA JU 

I still cannot shake the story of the man in the wheel chair who matched with someone on an app. The loneliness he described was palatable, I felt so much for the character. The friends who have to part ways because one wants to leave the village for the big city. The man who gets sent away for being gay and never seeing his lover until he finds out he dies. 

This collection is exceptional! If you loved A BROKEN PEOPLE’S PLAYLIST and WHERE THERE ARE MONSTERS you will enjoy this one.  

vickiwangui's review

4.0

The stories are incredibly well-written and truly engaging. I found myself deeply invested in the characters and their journeys. I felt the pain in the stories of grief and longing.

neverenoughhhh's review

4.0

This was actually pretty good. I don't usually read short stories or collections like these but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I loved Onyango's writing style and the characters were all so interesting, each story made me want a full version of it.
My favourites were probably: Whirlwind, For What are Butterflies Without Their Wings, Goodbye so long, Sunset Dreams and This Little Light of Mine

aloiyeva's review

challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

guylikenimi's review

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

agnes_mwangi's review

dark emotional sad fast-paced

4.0