so-soA complicated book following 12yo Yusuf sold by his parents for the repayment of their debt & follows his journeys emotional, metaphorical and geographical across the African continent as he grows up. A commentary on the social and power dynamics of Africa. Gives a view into the lives of those rarely discussed. But I found the narrative a tad cluttered so it didn‘t leave me with the impact I wished it did. But Gurnah remains an excellent writer.
so-soI've just finished this novel and realised that I never knew our protagonists name, flicking back through the pages I don't think we are ever told.
We do know he is in his forties, he teaches in the UK and has a failing heart. We also know his family in Zanzibar have no idea he lives with an English woman and has a 17 year old daughter.
This feels very much like a character study, how silence can wrap itself around unsaid words and snowball.
pickThis book is very descriptive and dilly dallies all over the place and we are given far more information than we would ever need however it does create an atmosphere which absorbs you. At times you could almost smell the scenes being described.
Set between Zanzibar and London, this is the story of Salim and his family secrets. I was pretty invested in the characters here and how their lives were playing out.
I liked this, it was a decent read
🏫 I‘ve learned how to work effectively in a team, and that I really enjoy it.
🏫 I‘m currently a PhD student and teaching assistant.
🏫 In another life, I‘d be a marine archaeologist. I want to be by the ocean and near ships.
Thanks for the tag @Eggs #WondrousWednesday
so-soWe have two main characters, Saleh and Latif. Both from Zanzibar, both living in the UK, both with complicated histories.
Everything we see, we see directly from our main characters minds, like a stream of consciousness in many ways. We only ever look backwards, in reminiscent.
This didn't grab me, it felt very drab and I understand that's the vibe the author is going for here. I wasn't particularly engaged, was fine.
It was exactly as it would have been in the stories his mother used to tell him. In those stories the craziness would have been because of love gone wrong, or bewitchment in order to steal an inheritance, or unfulfilled revenge. Nothing could be done about the craziness until matters had been put right, until the curse had been lifted. He wanted to say that to Khalil. Don't worry about it so much, it will all be put right before the story ends.
pickMy 3rd novel by Gurnah, all since he won the Nobel Prize. I‘ve enjoyed them all. He‘s a wonderful storyteller, weaving gentle kindnesses into serious story tensions. This 2001 novel is a beautiful book about two refugees from British Zanzibar and later independent Zanzibar/Tanzania, who meet up in England.
No clue why kitty is head-butting my book. She was very determined though. Anyway, I‘m going to try to start it today.
