Chigozie Obioma | April Featured Author

[Marieke]

Chigozie Obioma will be our featured author in April! He only has one book published so far, which means we can all get into the fandom from the ground floor. :)

His goodreads page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Personal website:
http://www.chigozieobioma.com/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ChigozieObioma

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chigoz...

[Beverly]

The expected US publication date is mid-April. I have a library hold on the book so I can get it as soon as it comes in.

[Marieke]

Oof I should have checked on that before including him in this poll. Oh well!

It's kind of exciting, though. Brand new!

[Beverly]

Marieke wrote: "Oof I should have checked on that before including him in this poll. Oh well!

It's kind of exciting, though. Brand new!"

Yes, it is. The book was already on my tbr list and the reviews so far have been good.

[Marieke]

I'll be looking for more information about him, like interviews and such, so please share anything you all come across!

[Marieke]

I have a copy, but haven't started reading yet. Anyone else reading?

[Friederike]

I have been thinking of getting his book. He will be at our Writersfestival in a week or so, but I can't go because of a prior commitment...

[Beverly]

Marieke wrote: "I have a copy, but haven't started reading yet. Anyone else reading?"

I have the book on Library Hold and it has not come in.

[Sigrun]

I've finished the book. Very fresh and inventive in style, but unfortunately Fishermen didn't click that well with me. Don't know exactly what to blame, the fault probably lies more in me than in the book. English isn't my first language so I always "get" less of books read in English, I might give it another chance if it's ever translated into Swedish.

[Melanie]

Just put book on hold at library :)

[Marieke]

I'm about half-way through and i think it is terrific! Sigrun I do wonder if you were able to get it in Swedish if it would make a difference. Or, it just doesn't click with you. It happens! But I'm really enjoying it. :)

Since it takes place in the nineties with flashbacks to the 80s, i wanted to read about that era in A History of Nigeria...seems like i will just read the last chapter for that and it may or may not give me some more context to understand the political and social background for this book.

[Marieke]

I haven't read this yet, but plan to:

http://www.themillions.com/2015/04/cl...

[Beverly]

Marieke wrote: "I'm about half-way through and i think it is terrific! Sigrun I do wonder if you were able to get it in Swedish if it would make a difference. Or, it just doesn't click with you. It happens! But I'..."

I have the book now and hope to get to it this weekend.

[Melanie]

Just finished The Fisherman :) Enjoyed it and look forward to more from him. It is one of those books where you see everything unfolding and just want to reach into the book and shake the characters and warn them to stop.

[Beverly]

I have finally finished The Fishermen.

This book has been nominated for many awards so far this year.

It was a 3.5 read for me.
I thought the language was beautiful and found myself reveling in the language and this is what had me turning the pages.

But it seems I just could not get into the storyline and really did not like how the story was executed and could not put my finger on why the book did not "wow" me overall despite the language, then a friend of mine in his review pointed out that it was the storytelling side of the writing that could have been improved and I would agree.

I thought the author did a good job on with the dialogue and different speaking styles - this flowed well for me.

I did not like the father. I really did not understand some of his actions.

[Nina]

The book club I belong to here in Accra decided we would read this book - in November I think, so by then I am sure I will revisit this thread, and see what everyone said, and decide how these fit in with my own views.

[Marieke]

I haven't read this interview yet, but certainly think I should share it here

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Marieke wrote: "I haven't read this interview yet, but certainly think I should share it here"

Oh interesting, I didn't realize it was an "alternate history" version of his brothers. That's a cool idea.

[Marieke]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Marieke wrote: "I haven't read this interview yet, but certainly think I should share it here"

Oh interesting, I didn't realize it was an "alternate history" version of his brothers. That's a cool..."

yeah, i didn't know the backstory either.