Quite a bit going on in the story, which is very well written, and with very interesting characters. If you like the novels of Adichie, her countrywomQuite a bit going on in the story, which is very well written, and with very interesting characters. If you like the novels of Adichie, her countrywoman, I think you would like this....more
I rather liked it, esp the last quarter, which got into witchcraft/magical realism. Strangely it somewhat reminded me of the writing of Marjorie KinanI rather liked it, esp the last quarter, which got into witchcraft/magical realism. Strangely it somewhat reminded me of the writing of Marjorie Kinan Rawlings in books like Cross Creek and South Moon Under....more
Some beautiful writing in here by Ms Head. I previously enjoyed her books of shorts, “The Collector of Treasures”- this novel is even better. I also reSome beautiful writing in here by Ms Head. I previously enjoyed her books of shorts, “The Collector of Treasures”- this novel is even better. I also read the included short memoir "Crackling Day" by Peter Abrahams, which is a moving piece on racism....more
They didn't generally have the usual western literature sort of narrative climax, but they really held my attention with her lyrical prose and realistThey didn't generally have the usual western literature sort of narrative climax, but they really held my attention with her lyrical prose and realistic depiction of villagers' lives....more
Like Diane, I'm also rating five stars. What a terrific little book of short stories. A wonderful writer writing about what she knows, focusing mainlyLike Diane, I'm also rating five stars. What a terrific little book of short stories. A wonderful writer writing about what she knows, focusing mainly on Egyptian women and their lives....more
A couple of the stories are at 5- star level and about 5 more are 4 star, the majority 3 star-ers. My favorites were "Modi's Bride" by Sindiwe Mgaona A couple of the stories are at 5- star level and about 5 more are 4 star, the majority 3 star-ers. My favorites were "Modi's Bride" by Sindiwe Mgaona and "The Lawless" by Sefi Atta. I enjoyed the different settings, they often seemed exotic compared to most stories by western writers, and I liked the unusual expressions and phrases....more
This story, of a poor woman who becomes a successful prostitute and who comes to hate men, has very lyrical qualities and eloquently expressed the fruThis story, of a poor woman who becomes a successful prostitute and who comes to hate men, has very lyrical qualities and eloquently expressed the frustration and anger of women's oppression, particularly in the Middle East....more
Excellent writing that not only tells the story of growing up black and poor in what was then Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, but draws us into the emotional Excellent writing that not only tells the story of growing up black and poor in what was then Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, but draws us into the emotional and intellectual struggles of dealing with colonialism and bias against females. She makes it personal, not political. This is a good companion to "Down Second Avenue", which tells a similar story of a South African boy, written in a different style....more
Half of a Yellow Sun by the Nigerian woman writer Adichie. The 1st half is about her characters and their lives in Nigeria, in the 2nd half the BiafraHalf of a Yellow Sun by the Nigerian woman writer Adichie. The 1st half is about her characters and their lives in Nigeria, in the 2nd half the Biafran civil war occurs with her characters caught up in it: lots of starving, wounds and dying. The characters are very interesting and realistic, and there's plenty of plot-maybe a little too much. I preferred the 1st half; perhaps I've read too many books with war the last few years. Four stars.
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