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Behold the Dreamers

Imbolo Mbue

Start date: July 1, 2020

Finish date: July 28, 2020

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

Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue
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Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

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What Members Thought

Jul 16, 2017 Toni FGMAMTC rated it really liked it

Shelves: realistic-fiction, black-mc, oprahs-book-club, new-york, literary-fiction, africa, america, immigration, cameroon, african-mc

This book has so historical bits around the time of the end of George W. Bush's administration and beginning of Obama's. The economy of America was a recession. The main characters are from Africa. They want to get citizenship in America. They come when things aren't as bad. When the recession hits, they see the American dream floating away. This is a thought-provoking book for people from America and other countries. There are several characters besides the main couple who add to it. I was real ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Sep 10, 2020 Christine Fuss rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Found this story of immigrants from Cameroon trying to find success in America very intriguing. Especially, when the author compares their struggles with the white, rich Wall Street family who employs them. “Money can’t buy happiness “and other thought provoking themes of class struggle, meaning of home, establishing roots and connections, and finding happiness in a busy materialistic world were all going through my mind as I read and afterwards. The author did a wonderful job of creating believ ...more

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Sep 22, 2020 Megan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, literary-fiction, civil-rights, family-dynamics, mental-health, deals-with-grief

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Behold The Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue is the story of a Cameroonian immigrant family based in Harlem. Jende Jongais going thru the extreme legal hassle it takes to get a green card, while his wife, Neni, has a student visa. Jende works as a driver for Lehman Bros executive Clark Edwards and loves the opportunity to provide a better life for his family. Neni is studying to be a pharmacist and is excited about the opportunities being in the US will give their six year old son, Liomi. Neni works part- Behold The Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue is the story of a Cameroonian immigrant family based in Harlem. Jende Jongais going thru the extreme legal hassle it takes to get a green card, while his wife, Neni, has a student visa. Jende works as a driver for Lehman Bros executive Clark Edwards and loves the opportunity to provide a better life for his family. Neni is studying to be a pharmacist and is excited about the opportunities being in the US will give their six year old son, Liomi. Neni works part-time as a health-care aid and provides summer help to Mrs. Cindy Edwards and her kids.

The story focuses on the Jonge family. It intersperses and contrasts their hopes and struggles with the more affluent lives of the Edwards, a middle-aged couple with a college-age son and a much younger son close to Liomi’s age. This is a very empathetic, witty and insightful read about the struggles of immigrants and the challenges everyone faces in life, regardless of the level of affluence and privilege.

Clark seems to be the one voice of reason at work, where a climate of economic robber baronhood where integrity has been thrown by the wayside in pursuit of profits. He knows things at Lehmans will self-destruct and he’s supervisors aren’t listening to him, but he’s trying to do damage control. Clark sees sex workers regularly for stress release. It’s obvious he doesn’t really see this as cheating, but knows it will upset his wife, who is jealous, so depends on Jende’s discretion.

This book really brings to light how desperation and stress can bring out the worst in people and fracture marriages. It reveals how limited options can be for people in other countries and why the American Dream still has so much draw. There really can be more opportunities here. Coming from a poor family, in a very stratified society, Jende would never have been allowed to get a decent job or really make anything of himself. Neni’s father wouldn’t allow them to get married and had Jende thrown in jail, so Jende is deeply impressed with the possibilities America offers.

At first, Jende makes bank as Clark’s driver. They’re sending money to family, saving for a house, and decide to have another baby. Neni is in school, pursuing her dream and Jende feels like a total boss, valued for his punctuality, hard work and circumspection. Over the course of a few years, things fall apart. Lehman Bros collapses, Jende loses his job and has to take on a number of part time jobs like dishwashing, that lead to chronic pain and health issues. And his request for a green card is denied.

Cindy, who had a terrible white trash childhood, has crafted herself to be the perfect WASP wife. She has a tendency towards substance abuse, of both alcohol and antidepressants, and her jealousy over Clark’s infidelities, and stress over their college-aged son’s insistence on dropping out of school to go to India and find himself, leads her to a deadly overindulgence.

Stress also brings out the patriarchal autocrat in Jende, and the story shows how life’s terrible challenges can impel even the kindest man to be abusive. Jende and Neni come from a culture where wife-beating is expected, so, while Neni is upset that he hits her during an argument, she doesn’t view it as an irreparable line crossing. Forced to go back to Cameroon, Jende, Neni and their children are able to create a new, better existence because their savings are worth much more there. Clark ends up in a new job in another state with much more flexible hours, so he’s able to be a more present father and help his sons deal with the loss of their mother. All the characters have had to let go of dreams or beliefs about who they should be, but end up being able to craft a potentially better existence after surviving various traumas.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Prentice Onayemi, who was absolutely stellar.

CW: immigration issues, family dysfunction, substance abuse, blackmail, domestic abuse (one instance), patriarchal attitudes, desperation, cheating, reference to sex workers, death of loved ones (one death by OD), poverty, incarceration, classism, racism, bribery, robber barons, financial fuckery and collapse, health issues. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 27, 2021 Musings on Living rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, ownvoices, group-book-read, black-author

A really great book that explores the immigration experiences of moving to America from Cameroon, Africa. It's very family oriented and character focused, so we were given an intimate look at two very different families trying to live the American dream. The approach was not one I expected and was charmed at the writing, even while several moments made me mad at what was happening. It was a great pick with many points for discussion and debate during book club. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review