Great African Reads discussion

This thread is for discussions of our July/Aug 2019 read of Lyrics Alley by Leila Aboulela - with NO SPOILERS (there is a thread with spoilers allowed too) - so feel free to discuss book editions, availability, expectations etc. - when you get into the book, please join us in the spoiler thread! 

Still a month to go! Is anyone planning on reading it this summer?

Hello Anetq,
I finished reading it yesterday , I will try to post some thoughts in a few days as I am travelling and using my phone.

I have it scheduled and will start reading soon.

Niledaughter wrote: "Hello Anetq,
I finished reading it yesterday , I will try to post some thoughts in a few days as I am travelling and using my phone."

Oh excellent, you're ahead then :) I'll join shortly and join you!

I read it last month but haven't gotten round yet to posting my thoughts on it

It is in my suitcase. I quite liked her short story that is in one of the African short story collections and have just finished Bird Summons. It is a roadmovie with three female Arab protagonists which one does not often come across in literature :), a fast read, at times heart wrenching, at times hillarious. I like Aboulela's benevolence towards her characters very much and I am looking forward to LA as it sounds so completely different from BS!

I guess i will join this reading , iam already planning to read minaret but i will start this with you

I finally started a couple of days ago. Over one third now and so far I am enjoying it.

I’m so glad I read this – thanks to Great African Reads for listing it. Aboulela tells this story from the POV of five characters, four of whom are members of the extended family of a wealthy Sudanese businessman and one who’s the tutor for the man’s children. The structure works well to move the story forward and develop the characters. Classic themes of love, loss, and family dynamics play out within the culture and lifestyle of Sudan and Egypt of the 1950s. I particularly appreciated the chance to learn more about Sudanese culture. She also provides interesting insights into the relationship between Sudan and Egypt in the time period. All in all, I found the book entertaining and educational. I’ll read more by this author.

After reading Translator, which I found rather disappointing, my expectations were low for this Aboulela novel, but I was positively surprised. I enjoyed reading the book and learned a lot about Sudan's history.