Global Book Selections discussion

Let's see what we can get out of this African literature classic. I have heard nothing but great things about this book. Every time I have wanted to read African literature, I have come across this book. Has anyone in the book group already read it? Let us know your thoughts on it. Meanwhile, I have yet to open mine.

I don't think I've ever read a book before which has made me feel physically sick, (I'm currently reading about the twins' birth) and I've yet to decide whether this is a good or a bad thing.....

I will check if our Library has one. I read the beautyful ones are not yet born by Ayi Kwei Armah.

Hannah: There is quite a lot of medical detail in the book, so it is not one for anyone too squeamish. It is mainly about people and relationships though, so you could skip quickly over all the graphic bits and just enjoy the story without feeling you are missing anything.

Najat: I have read that one. It was very well written I thought, but also very pessimistic.

I think it was because the characters and their relationships are built so well that I felt this way when reading about what was happening to the sister. I actually felt the need to continue reading every detail (no matter how horrific) until i got to the end of part 1 rather than a need to skip through it. Do you think this was an intention of the author?

He presumably intends us to read the detail, but if it made me feel sick I wouldn't.

I didn't think he included graphic descriptions just to be controversial and shocking, but I didn't feel they were absolutely essential to understanding the characters either.

Hi everyone, I'm nearly halfway through this book and really enjoying it. The detail about what happens to Sister Mary was quite graphic but I didn't mind as it added to the drama and intensity of the writing.