Chinelo
Okparanta writes so delicately. Her writing is rich, imaginative, and timely. I
really like how she describes love. "Love is love because of memory. Love
without memory was null."My
favorite part of the novel was the beginning, specifically the idea of cities
being switched off. It was apocalyptic and I loved that element.
The
narrator, Harry Sylvester Bird is delusional. His kind of racism is
rooted in victimhood and lack of self-awareness. At least his parents,
Chevy, and Wayne know they are bigots. I did not enjoy Harry's relationship
with Maryam. Did not care for it or see why she wanted to be with him. On their
first date, he was taciturn and continued to be as the relationship progressed.
He wasn’t honest or vulnerable with her. I liked the first half of the book
more. At least I could laugh at the sheer stupidity of Chevy and
Wayne. The book is
humorous, but the crux of the story—the romance between Harry and Maryam—left
me feeling physically upset. I kept sighing and pondering why I should care.
Harry's bigotry becomes more overt in Ghana. However, Maryam never confronts him
about it, giving Harry the impression that he still has a chance, even when
they are no longer together. The novel is funny and tragic because the
plot is based on truth.
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