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Behold the Dreamers

Imbolo Mbue

Start date: July 1, 2020

Finish date: July 28, 2020

Discussion: Country and Territories

Why we're reading this: Countries/Territories: Cameroon

Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue
[close] Countries/Territories: Cameroon

Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

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Country and Territories

A Dangerous Place (March 2023)
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What Members Thought

Nov 01, 2016 Richard Derus rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Rating: 5* of five

Y'all, I've been warbling my fool head off about this one for going on five years. I five-starred it...said this just might be The Great American Novel...I can't afford to buy everyone a Kindle copy, even at $2.99 (which it is today), but I would if I could. Go get you one.
https://smile.amazon.com/Behold-Dream...

2017 NEWS! THIS 5-STAR READ IS THE WINNER OF THE PEN/FAULKNER AWARD!

I voted for this book in the 2016 Goodreads Choice Awards. I read somewhere on the internet that thi ...more

67 likes · Like · see review

May 10, 2017 ColumbusReads rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Cameroon > America. A young couple with son moves to NYC from Limbe, Cameroon. The couple faces immigration, marriage, life issues right at the start of the financial crisis in 2007. An absolutely wonderful novel from a young, impressive debut novelist whom I'm looking to read a lot more from in the future.

4.5 stars ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 03, 2016 Melissa Rochelle rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, read-2016

A solid debut novel about a Cameroonian couple's quest for the American Dream. The novel shows the dream of America versus the difficulties of actually living here. The characters were realistic and multi-faceted. I both loved and loathed some of them -- each making terrible decisions and then showing kindness and compassion. I was surprised by the end and think this would make an excellent book for discussion especially given the current political discussion on immigration. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 29, 2017 Christina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-fiction, fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, cultural-africa

I really enjoyed this book, especially in light of what's going on with the immigration polices in our country. The United States is now trying to crack down on immigrants, but in the wrong manner of speaking, and creating depressing situations for "dreamers" and family that are affected by the inopportune purging of illegal immigrants, or those who's unfortunate visas have expired is detrimental to our society. It creates chaos and insanity when dealing with the uncertainty of whether or not if I really enjoyed this book, especially in light of what's going on with the immigration polices in our country. The United States is now trying to crack down on immigrants, but in the wrong manner of speaking, and creating depressing situations for "dreamers" and family that are affected by the inopportune purging of illegal immigrants, or those who's unfortunate visas have expired is detrimental to our society. It creates chaos and insanity when dealing with the uncertainty of whether or not if and when you will be deported...

This book took me through a myriad of emotions when going through Jende's situation with him and his family being deported back to Cameroon. I was upset and irritated at Jende for not fighting more for his family. I also understood his wife's position and why she felt to the point of being irrational with trying to get a better way for her son and new daughter, but the whole situation was horrible to experience in fiction, and I can't imagine what it would be like in real life.

As I was reading this book, the first DREAMER was deported back to Mexico... and I was so downtrodden with emotion. People come to America to make a better life, only to realize that the "powers that be" don't want them here under any circumstances because they weren't born here. The DREAMER had come here as a child! He had to go to a place he barely even knew, to family members he didn't grow up with, and what's even more upsetting is that he had a life, a job, and a family!

I think the relationship between Jonde and his employer was a bit strained much of the time because of the fear that Jende had everyday trying to avoid the conversation about citizenship or "papers" and his status as a citizen. I really enjoyed the fact that the author involved both families so intricately so that the readers knew more of the story and how both main characters (Jende and Mr. Clark) impacted everyone involved on both sides of the family. Honestly I was disappointed that Jende was too scared to ask Mr. Clark for help, and because he was so scared, he got deported without more help from people who could possibly be more advantageous for his situation.

Overall, this book was very deep and very real. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone. I would rate this book a 4.5. ...more

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