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A review by rhodaj
Johnny Mad Dog by Emmanuel Dongala
5.0
This was my read the world selection for Republic of the Congo.
This book is told from the perspective of both Johnny Mad Dog and Laokole, who are both sixteen. Johnny is a teenage gun-toting rebel soldier who thinks he is an intellectual as he finished second grade at school. He seems to see war as some sort of game and kills freely and with no remorse.
Conversely, Laokole is just about to sit her final exams when civil war breaks out and she is forced to flee with her legless mother and younger brother and join the countless refugees fleeing from their city. As Johnny and Laokole’s paths cross a few times over the course of the story, the reader sees the same events told by vastly different perspectives.
I’ve found that you never really know what sort of books you’re going to find doing the read the world project and although I wouldn’t say I have low expectations overall, some countries have so few options to read that you become resigned to the fact that the book may not be to your taste. I have to say I wasn’t filled with enthusiasm about reading a book about civil war, however this book was very very good and the vastly differing perspectives were both powerful and poignant
Johnny is hard and remorseless, however provides a little comic relief due to his inflated sense of self and importance. Laokole just wants to live her life, finish school and become an engineer and is disheartened by her country and it’s politicians that will just never let anyone live in peace or any sort of prosperity (unless it’s within their own ranks, of course). Although this book is fiction, sadly I believe most of these occurrences would be based in truth, as having read a non-fiction book for Central African Republic, it unfortunately seems typical of this region.
I found this book gripping, shocking and heartbreaking but there were parts of goodness that shone through. While I would not say it was an ‘enjoyable’ read, it gave the reader a unique perspective that was will really linger with you. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
This book is told from the perspective of both Johnny Mad Dog and Laokole, who are both sixteen. Johnny is a teenage gun-toting rebel soldier who thinks he is an intellectual as he finished second grade at school. He seems to see war as some sort of game and kills freely and with no remorse.
Conversely, Laokole is just about to sit her final exams when civil war breaks out and she is forced to flee with her legless mother and younger brother and join the countless refugees fleeing from their city. As Johnny and Laokole’s paths cross a few times over the course of the story, the reader sees the same events told by vastly different perspectives.
I’ve found that you never really know what sort of books you’re going to find doing the read the world project and although I wouldn’t say I have low expectations overall, some countries have so few options to read that you become resigned to the fact that the book may not be to your taste. I have to say I wasn’t filled with enthusiasm about reading a book about civil war, however this book was very very good and the vastly differing perspectives were both powerful and poignant
Johnny is hard and remorseless, however provides a little comic relief due to his inflated sense of self and importance. Laokole just wants to live her life, finish school and become an engineer and is disheartened by her country and it’s politicians that will just never let anyone live in peace or any sort of prosperity (unless it’s within their own ranks, of course). Although this book is fiction, sadly I believe most of these occurrences would be based in truth, as having read a non-fiction book for Central African Republic, it unfortunately seems typical of this region.
I found this book gripping, shocking and heartbreaking but there were parts of goodness that shone through. While I would not say it was an ‘enjoyable’ read, it gave the reader a unique perspective that was will really linger with you. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.