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bluestjuice's review
4.0
A brief memoir of the author's life as a child and teenager in French Guinea during the 30s and 40s - a classic autobiographical snapshot. I read this in English translation. Camara's writing is evocative and expressive and he paints a portrait of his childhood experiences that is not at all romantic, but simultaneously has an almost spiritual quality, which feeds into the increasing tension that develops as his French education pulls him farther and farther away from his family cultural roots. At its heart this is a story of Camara exploring what sort of man he wants to become, which is a question that encompasses how fully he wants to embrace European customs and education, but also includes decisions about what sort of role he envisions for himself within the context of his French Guinean home.
janellephant's review against another edition
3.0
First book I've read entirely in French, which I'm pretty proud of. It was an easy enough read for someone with 3-4 years of language experience.
hanntastic's review
4.0
Global Read Challenge: Guinea
This is a very readable sweet autobiography. It certainly paints a rosy picture and is a pretty enjoyable read. It was definitely more about atmosphere and characters than plot, which was totally fine. There was enough explanation so that a foreign audience would get it, but not so much that it became dull.
This is a very readable sweet autobiography. It certainly paints a rosy picture and is a pretty enjoyable read. It was definitely more about atmosphere and characters than plot, which was totally fine. There was enough explanation so that a foreign audience would get it, but not so much that it became dull.
anitaofplaybooktag's review
3.0
This memoir is an enjoyable read that is a picturesque coming of age story set in Africa. It's simply told without artifice or tremendous elaboration. We follow Laye's story as he is raised by his loving parents, attends primary school, falls for his first love, and finally becomes a man through a ritual circumcision. Unfortunately, the book ends on a bittersweet note and left me wanting more. Nicely rendered, but not likely to be memorable.