Inyenzi: A Story of Love and Genocide

by Andrew Brown

Inyenzi is a riveting, beautiful and heartbreaking novel set against the backdrop of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. It follows the lives of three characters caught up in the anarchy of the Melchior, a Hutu priest in a rural community; his childhood friend, Victor, head of the communal police in the area; and Selena, a Tutsi woman from the city … and Melchior’s secret love. In the eyes of the Hutu extremists she is nothing but a cockroach – an inyenzi – who must be exterminated.

In the chilling period before the killing spree, the lives of the three characters, and the choices they make, become increasingly intertwined, as childhood bonds, personal morality, love and self-sacrifice are pushed to the limit.

Genres: Rwanda

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Kathe Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

South African author Andrew Brown centers this book on a Hutu priest Melchoir, and a Tutsi woman he loves, Selena who are caught in the Rwandan genocide. Soon the fate of the three characters become intertwined: Melchior, his childhood friend, Victor, (head of the communal police); and Selena, a Tutsi. Melchior’s, as a Hutu priest is forbidden from loving Selena, an inyenzi. Victor, Melchoir’s best friend and a Hutu extremist, feels that inyenzies needs to be eliminated and it is this hatred that leads to the genocide in Rwanda in 1994. For me historical fiction creates a level of emotional connection that nonfiction simply cannot. You can read a non-fiction account of an historical event but until the personal stories and heartbreaks are felt do you begin to understand

[Sipho Lukhele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story set in Rwanda is a fictional account of a genocide that took place in the country. A painful tale, between two tribes, the Hutu and Tutsi. It is told mainly through two childhood friends that grew to be two different people. The one is Melchior, who chose the religious path by being a priest and Victor who held a big position within the ruling parties law enforcement.

The story is told from Melchoir's childhood, filled with trauma; to him attending college; failing in love and finally deployed to a church parish. We go through challenges of him battling with how to respond to his human feelings and how in the end, the only woman he has loved put him in a difficult position. We then see how power changes people we thought we knew and the unbelievable things they are capable of. The book, as sad as it is, is well written. If I may just quote from it.

"Her hands are trembling. But she is as strong as iron. She stands upright and looks straight at the judges. They look back at her. Nothing more is to be said today. She is the master of the story. The courtroom is the audience, and the accused the only participant."

Andre Brown is a brilliant storyteller and I am looking forward to reading more of his work.

[Jacqui Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading this in 2009 … highly recommend ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jovis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fiction novel, actually but not entirely. It has been my favorite ever since. The character interactions were very well-written. I loved how the author included a story beyond the chaos – a story of love and lasting friendship between a priest and a woman who is also a Tutsi. There is depth. There is reality in it which I think is in the ‘genocide’ side of the story. Like a cockroach, the Tutsis were extinguished. Until now, I remember the chant of the killers, as if the brutality is needed for peace; as if the murders are for the greater good. Thousands have died and the UN closed their eyes. The cruelty of mankind and injustice is very real. A lot of my emotions were stirred.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beautiful thing about fiction is that it creates a level of emotional connection that nonfiction simply cannot. I've read many nonfiction books on the topic of the Rwandan genocide but this is one of the first pieces of fiction.

It was pretty good but I really probably shouldn't have read the book after visiting similar locations while on night terror inducing medication #lessonlearned