Plot: Solomon weaves a tale of suspense and grief with masterful skill, successfully keeping the reader engaged. She acknowledges that there are things we will never know about history in the way she speaks of the people never fully remembering their past, save their Historian. Yetu holds the space for us all to feel the pain and the loss. However, the reader is left wanting more- more of Yetu after the end, more of Oori and her story, more about the survival of the wajinru.
Structurally: There are points the book is written in a first person plural point of view that made it difficult to follow along. Later on, why those points were in the book are revealed, but as a reader, even something as simple as italics would better signify a change, in POV, time, event, etc. On the flipside, the use of 1st plural constantly reminds the reader of the multitudes held in this story. It's not just Yetu- it's all.
Additionally, Solomon uses words and language that honors the women of the story, but I would have loved a pronunciation guide for further clarification.
Summary: This haunting novel holds a group of people tenderly and with the utmost respect. It is bittersweet- the hope that some could have survived, the reminder that so many didn't.
Structurally: There are points the book is written in a first person plural point of view that made it difficult to follow along. Later on, why those points were in the book are revealed, but as a reader, even something as simple as italics would better signify a change, in POV, time, event, etc. On the flipside, the use of 1st plural constantly reminds the reader of the multitudes held in this story. It's not just Yetu- it's all.
Additionally, Solomon uses words and language that honors the women of the story, but I would have loved a pronunciation guide for further clarification.
Summary: This haunting novel holds a group of people tenderly and with the utmost respect. It is bittersweet- the hope that some could have survived, the reminder that so many didn't.