Reviews

Black Mamba Boy by Nadifa Mohamed

candeecrrz's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark hopeful slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

shhhhh_reading's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I haven't come across many books set in Africa during period covered by Black Mamba Boy and I enjoyed the insight into a very different world. Jama's travels were interesting but I never felt this book was a compelling read. It took me a long time to finish this book as I was never captivated enough to make reading it a priority.

toniamessmer's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging informative slow-paced

3.0

leslie115's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

This novel has some beautiful passages, and Mohamed does an excellent job of giving each of the many locations a distinct flavor. The narrative, however, is uneven and Mohamed falls short in her attempts to create Dickensian characters who unexpectedly show up multiple times. I also did not like Jama's lack of growth as a character; instead, he adapted to his surroundings like a chameleon.

marocmama's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This book was different than I expected. It really took a twisting interesting and disturbing handful of turns that I never expected. I recommend it.

rhodaj's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

laura_couto's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

foi muito difícil terminar a leitura. depois da metade o ritmo e a narrativa melhoram um pouco, mas ainda achei muito arrastado. pessoalmente, não gosto de textos muito descritivos e poéticos, então sei que todo o meu desgosto foi baseado nisso. ainda assim, a história é bem bonita, gosto de saber que foi baseada na história do pai da autora

e sobre a edição que eu li: achei muito mal traduzida, fiquei chateada que tantas expressões não tiveram o significado explicado em momento nenhum. adoro quando os autores usam palavras na língua nativa do protagonista pra demonstrar expressões que não têm uma tradução perfeita, mas não colocarem em nenhum lugar o significado delas só me pareceu preguiça

apenasgus's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Extremamente pesado o livro, obviamente por ter sido pesada a vida de Jama, pai da autora e personagem principal dessa espécie de biografia novelizada.
Apesar de conhecer quase nada da cultura africana, o livro me fez mergulhar nesse mundo como se fosse uma realidade conhecida.
Toda a esperança de Jama e fé em seus pais são muito bonitas.

andoayumi's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

racing_with_time's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional informative sad medium-paced

3.5