Thiong’o: Dreams in a Time of War | (CL) first read: Feb 2014

[Marieke]

Huge apologies for the delay, but i am excited to announce that Ngugi wa Thiong'o's memoir Dreams in a Time of War: A Childhood Memoiris our nonfiction selection for "conflict in East Africa." I think it's great because if you are participating in Tinea's project, you are maybe currently reading (i will be shortly) his book Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature, so this could be a great way of enhancing either/or both books! :)

[Beverly]

Marieke wrote: "Huge apologies for the delay, but i am excited to announce that Ngugi wa Thiong'o's memoir Dreams in a Time of War: A Childhood Memoiris our nonfiction selection for "conflict in Eas..."

And I will also be reading Wizard of the Crow for one of my classic reads. I wonder if that will be a little too much of the same author.

[Marieke]

But each book is so different, Beverly....we could push the novel back, if you'd like? Wait until midsummer or fall?

[Beverly]

Marieke wrote: "But each book is so different, Beverly....we could push the novel back, if you'd like? Wait until midsummer or fall?"

That works for me but I thought the classics challenge was only for the first half of the year or maybe I am confuse - so much good stuff going on. :)

[Marieke]

Oh...once I realized I was allowed to set up more than one challenge, I set them both to last all year. More flexibility is always a good thing! :)

[Beverly]

Marieke wrote: "Oh...once I realized I was allowed to set up more than one challenge, I set them both to last all year. More flexibility is always a good thing! :)"

LOL - Thanks much!

[Marieke]

I hope you are able to get a copy, Jane. Anyone who can help her, please message her directly. Thanks!

[Beverly]

Gichena wrote: "I would love to continue reading the next selection but i cannot find nor buy Dreams in a time of war. Does anyone have a PDF copy for me?

Thanks and lets keep reading

Jane"

The Book Depository has the book and ships worldwide for free.

http://www.bookdepository.com/search?...

[Fela]

Decolonising the Mind is a masterpiece...as an African..it is one of the best books i'll ever read.

[Zanna]

Since I loved Wizard of the Crow and Decolonising the Mind (to say nothing of A Grain of Wheat) I will push this up my list...

[Marieke]

I just started it yesterday. Te writing is beautiful and it's short, but since I have company I probably won't finish it in two days although it certainly seems like a book a person could finish very quickly.

[Beverly]

I have downloaded the audio version of the book - just at the beginning but enjoying the flow of the story, the language invites me to keep listening so hoping for non-rainy days so can quickly finish while walking.

[Zanna]

Sounds lovely = ) audio version could be a nice option

[Marieke]

Do you have access to audio books, Zanna? I have grown to really like them and it's a great way to squeeze in more reading. I was about to write "extra" reading, but is there such a thing?

[Zanna]

No it's not something I've tried. London is noisy, I don't like ear buds, and I do my reading on public transport (I move from client to client for work - so average 3-4 hours travel daily) but I'd like to rest my eyes while in bed... and get some 'extra' reading done = )

[Marieke]

Oh! You will fall asleep if you do that! ;)

I have found that I enjoy listening to audiobooks when I do housework and cook. Not always...sometimes I want to listen to music or nothing at all! :)

But I definitely need to be doing something while I listen.

[Zanna]

I always have the radio on while doing those things - sometimes it's great but sometimes (mid afternoon particularly) it's rubbish so that could be a good time too

[Beverly]

I have finished reading this book.
I am not a fan of memoirs but I really enjoyed this book. It is a testament to Ngugi wa Thiong'o's wonderful storytelling abilities!

It felt like he was right there speaking to me - I found the story to be open, honest, and told with a refreshing voice of understanding the past to make sense of the present.

[Zanna]

He is such a wonderful author = ) Glad you enjoyed it Beverly, can't wait to read

[Marieke]

I also really enjoyed it! Have some thoughts to share but can't do it just yet...ugh, work! ;)

[Marieke]

So...i agree he has a great storytelling voice. I really enjoyed every moment i was reading this book and i think he did a great job "editing" his memories in order to give us a clear picture of what life was like for him as a boy in that time period. I also liked that the book definitely dealt with more conflict than just war. armed conflict was really just a backdrop here, but to me the "conflict" theme really came through with the conflict of tradition versus modernity. I liked that he was able to balance them well...like, he was able to go to school and enjoyed learning, but also took the process of becoming a man in his society very seriously. i also liked reading about marital conflict and thought it was interesting to see what happened when his father's fortunes took a deep turn south.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Joining another group discussion after finally reading the book, after everyone else has!

It gave an interesting perspective to me, because I grew up alongside missionary kids whose families lived and worked with the Maasai and Turkana people, starting right around the time where he goes off to school at the end.

I found naming conventions the most interesting part - named after your father but also as a symbol of reincarnation, and then also your nickname that you are better known by.

[Marieke]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Joining another group discussion after finally reading the book, after everyone else has!

It gave an interesting perspective to me, because I grew up alongside missionary kids whose families lived..."

wow, Jenny, what an interesting perspective to have. So you grew up in Kenya yourself? or part of your childhood was in Kenya?

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Oh no nothing like that. My Mom was missions chair for my church so all the missionaries woul stay with us on visits and furloughs.

[Marieke]

Oh! But still. That's a really interesting connection.