Just when I was about to say meh, this story turned around and I can give it a yay.
A young girl, from Nigeria, who loses her mother and brother in a fJust when I was about to say meh, this story turned around and I can give it a yay.
A young girl, from Nigeria, who loses her mother and brother in a fatal car crash, is sent by her distraught father to live in England with a resentful aunt and cousins. The cousin welcomes her with open arms as if she were a missing family member. They live like sisters for the next 7 years until a bad decision fractures their relationship. Miscommunications and greed unknowingly keeps them separated.
May takes us on the emotional highs and lows of family- the loving and toxic kind, grief and loss. The cultural norms from Nigeria to England are exhilaratingly contrasted.
Surprisingly, this coming of age story worked for me with these well drawn out and flawed characters.
To Liv & Funke- The 2 sisters from different misters. 4,5⭐️...more
A fascinating look at the information highway that exists below the sea. How these cables transport information until one snaps or a few; and the impaA fascinating look at the information highway that exists below the sea. How these cables transport information until one snaps or a few; and the impact it has on lives.
Fennell, an Irish journalist, has gone to South Africa to write a piece on how these cables are repaired. But this is about more than just broken cables. It’s about broken people and broken relationships.
McCann’s writing is immersive. He delivers vastly layered characters who are as complex as these cables but just as uncomplicated when considering the human condition. That twist? It’s startling in its simplicity. 4.25⭐️
**This will appeal to readers who appreciate free diving** ...more
LRA. The Lord’s Resistance Army. Teenage boys and girls kidnapped and recruited in Uganda, 1994. Time to take up arms for a ruthless war Lord, Joseph LRA. The Lord’s Resistance Army. Teenage boys and girls kidnapped and recruited in Uganda, 1994. Time to take up arms for a ruthless war Lord, Joseph Kony.
The terrifying war with teen soldiers who became merciless. Trained during brutal conditions. Pushed to the frontlines without weapons as an initiation. The gruelling treks and near starvation. The brainwashing, the abuse, the inhumanity these soldiers suffered.
Opoka has survived with them for 3 years and is now The radioman for Kony himself. The hate he feels for the man hasn’t dwindled but he never revealed his true feelings. He survived by being the best human he was raised to be. He met Florence. Another kidnapped victim whose dreams were shattered. They become each other’s hope and future that one day they will be free of the LRA.
The resilience and the ability to put into practice the 4 voices of suffering; the power of love, gratitude and forgiveness.
**This is based on Anthony & Florence Opoka - child soldiers of the LRA. A must read are the author’s notes and the afterword from Anthony & Florence.**
A bit lengthy and slow at times but a worthy read. 4.25⭐️...more
I’m conjuring up this review. This was a riveting story that takes place in the mid 1800’s on a plantation, taken from the perspective of a slave daugI’m conjuring up this review. This was a riveting story that takes place in the mid 1800’s on a plantation, taken from the perspective of a slave daughter whose mom is the medicine healer, and now she is expected to follow in those footsteps. Secrets that keep these women bound and the suspicions the people have of this hoodoo magic.
The story moves back and forth from Rue, the daughter and to the mother, May Belle, and to the white master’s daughter. Truth and lies twisted from one fold into another. A little slow moving but paced much quicker in the 2nd half. Disturbing and haunting and loyalties that bind. 4.5 ⭐️ ...more
A breath of fresh air. This was one clever, quirky, quick read. The story takes place in Nigeria - love African ones. The young beautiful spoiled sisteA breath of fresh air. This was one clever, quirky, quick read. The story takes place in Nigeria - love African ones. The young beautiful spoiled sister has a passion for killing her boyfriends. The older sister is left cleaning up her mess and protecting her. Until the one man she loves loves the younger sister. And like every romance, it turns savage.
Such a delicious dark read. Not sure if it was just my copy but the last 10 pages were oddly upside down. This just made it all the more interesting! 4.25⭐️...more
A father has had a series of bad luck experiences. Rich in traditions of satisfying gods to ensure luck turns around, a daughter is given up as sacrifiA father has had a series of bad luck experiences. Rich in traditions of satisfying gods to ensure luck turns around, a daughter is given up as sacrifice. Once rescued, Abeo struggles with the decision that was made; of rebuilding relationships and finding her true self moving forward amid the horrible experiences she lived through for 15 years. Not sure how a parent could ever make such a horrendous decision no matter how much things have gone awry. The practice of ritual servitude is one that takes your virgins to atone for sins of their families. A truly barbaric ritual, but a great story. 4⭐️...more
I am always fascinated by stories that take me to lands so far from my reality - especially in areas that have history, and even here in Rwanda where I am always fascinated by stories that take me to lands so far from my reality - especially in areas that have history, and even here in Rwanda where tragedy and atrocities took place not so long ago.
Rachel in her quest to heal her own hurting heart, searches for her own history and her father in the land of Rwanda. What she discovers is a raw account of what it means to be a survivor. Of neighbours, once friends, turned into demons of war; of the ghosts past that continue to haunt the present and the future. My heart bleeds for the peace that existed before the hatred; for the people who are left trying to regain it: reconciliation and forgiveness. For the loss of life that left those living in mourning. Of grief. Of healing. And a hope for tomorrow that life is recognized for what it is: sacred. 5⭐️ ...more
So hard to write a review on a memoir especially of one where a girl has survived a brutal Genocide in Rwanda. Even when she arrives in the U.S as a refSo hard to write a review on a memoir especially of one where a girl has survived a brutal Genocide in Rwanda. Even when she arrives in the U.S as a refugee, the years of trauma unravel even once she has landed in a war free zone. The fears still remain- the difficulty trusting, the inability to forget, the fear of being abandoned. For years Clementine and her sister travelled to 7 countries to escape the death. Now this is her story of the aftermath of survival. The darkness that continues to invade her spirit; her life. And the recovery that is still shaping whom she is to become. 4⭐️...more
This one had it all: a strong female character, issues of apartheid and a little romance.
Honestly, this one held my heart. An amazing story with an amThis one had it all: a strong female character, issues of apartheid and a little romance.
Honestly, this one held my heart. An amazing story with an amazing character, Persomi, who was Born out of poverty in South Africa during the oppressive apartheid. She received an education - fighting all the odds - and became a passionate lawyer. Fighting against the country for the rights of those who the country want to split with. Rich with character development, dynamics of relationships, this was a beautiful and intense read. With everything that is going on in the world, decades later, and still the same themes trouble the world globally. 5⭐️ ...more
Homegoing is a journey of history. Black history. In this mesmerizing, breathtaking saga, a story of 2 tribes is told: the Asante and Fante in the GolHomegoing is a journey of history. Black history. In this mesmerizing, breathtaking saga, a story of 2 tribes is told: the Asante and Fante in the Gold Coast in the 18th century. Two half sisters are born - one to each tribe and unknown to each other. Their lives go in polar directions with the white man determining their existence. One sister is selected to marry a white man who negotiates slaves and lives in prosperity; the other, is stolen and traded to live a life of hardship and heartbreak as a slave. The narrative takes several paths from these women - the generations that follow their legacy always bringing each home to their roots of who they are and where they came from.
Beautiful prose, vivid descriptions and an emotional connection that was heartbreaking. Various themes throughout. This was an enriching and astounding debut. The only drawback was there were so many POV's that a closer connection to a protagonist was missing. But, upon reflection, I would reread this one in a heartbeat and this one will stay with me. 5*...more
Surrounding a pool in an upscale hotel in Rwanda, an eclectic group sits consisting of a journalist, upper class Rwandans, expats and prostitutes. TheSurrounding a pool in an upscale hotel in Rwanda, an eclectic group sits consisting of a journalist, upper class Rwandans, expats and prostitutes. They are removed from what is happening in the city which is rape, violence and murder.
It's 1994 and civil war has began between the Hutu and the Tutsi population. Massacres, brutality and AIDS is rampant. A war rages and whereby much of the world ignores and thereby in its passivity, condones. A country divided by ethnicity and ignorance breeds a military filled with hatred.
Yet, somehow despite this wave of terror, love weaves its way in for Valencourt, a French Canadian journalist and a Tutsi born turned Hutu, Gentille.
Although this work is 'fiction' it is based on an eyewitness account and embellished only to provide humanity to those murdered. I weep for the ignorance that spurned this war on - killing innocent men mercilessly and women who were heinously raped, mutilated and left for dead.
A massacre of 800,000. Humanity at its darkest hour -nearly 50 years after the holocaust, how did the world go blind and silent? Again? 4★ ...more
The luscious writing of this novel will transport you to the dry rolling hills of Kenya and quench your thirst after a long drought. It is an exquisitThe luscious writing of this novel will transport you to the dry rolling hills of Kenya and quench your thirst after a long drought. It is an exquisite story of Beryl Markham who grew up on the plains of Africa to become a legendary 1st woman horse trainer and later, a pilot. It's her path to self discovery through the disastrous relationships and love entanglements that define whom she became. A wild and adventurous spirit, much like the horses she worked to tame. I loved her character, her passion, her honesty and her courage. Truly a time when such feminism was resisted and discouraged. I adore novels set in Africa and during this time period circa 1920's and 30's. This is such a rich and captivating story that I will relish reading the next McLain novel. 5 ***** Thank you to goodreads and random house for an advanced reader's copy....more
This story was anything but radiant. A civil war has ended in Sierra Leone. The damage it has left is undeniably devastating. It's now 7 years later anThis story was anything but radiant. A civil war has ended in Sierra Leone. The damage it has left is undeniably devastating. It's now 7 years later and a village, Imperi, reawakens as the families begin to return. Some, of course, do not. The many scars the war has left, are mostly healed with the exception of the inner ones.
Just as things are starting to return to a normalcy, a mining company moves in that threatens the village and their livelihood. From one tragedy to another, their lives are threatened on a daily basis. The future that takes hold with the white man and his greed exploiting a nation trying to rebuild itself in the midst of destruction. The corruption amongst its layers.
A rich and soulful story about hope and forgiveness. About holding the past, close.About relationships and family. The storytelling of truths passed on by the elders.
The writing - so beautiful. The imagery warms the heart in the darkest days of immense loss. But the radiance of tomorrow brings with it the hope of a new day. A new beginning. 4.25*...more
Breathless is how I’m feeling right now as I close this book. Magnificence is in the power of this story and the storyteller.
I was introduced to VerghBreathless is how I’m feeling right now as I close this book. Magnificence is in the power of this story and the storyteller.
I was introduced to Verghese briefly as he wrote a prologue to the exquisitely written memoir , When Breath Becomes Air. Another of my favourites.
Yet, I was ill prepared for the visceral attack on my senses reading this epic story that takes place in Ethiopia. A story of doctors and the lives of becoming one. The story of undeniable love for parents who weren’t biological, for Siamese brothers separated at birth. Just an awe inspiring story of life. It’s hardships; it’s gifts. It’s culture.
It made me feel alive and exported. A respect for the struggles in a 3rd world country. Respect for dedication of reaching difficult goals. Of accepting unconditional love even when it seems to be against you. And forgiveness at its core. A story of brothers, fathers And mothers.
I read this prior to joining GR and hence a late review but as I pulled this out for my husband to read, I thought I must write something as this has I read this prior to joining GR and hence a late review but as I pulled this out for my husband to read, I thought I must write something as this has stayed with me. This is one of the most memorable, shocking, fascinating memoirs I have ever read. Amanda Lindhout is an astonishing woman and the ordeal she went through - as disturbing as it was - transformed her into becoming one of the most courageous of women whom exist today. From the time she had written this, she has done amazing things in Somali, raising the awareness of the oppression of women. This is an absolute 5 ★ must read....more
Canadian Jen
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africa
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