Reviews

The Havoc of Choice by Wanjiru Koinange

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willschick85's review against another edition

5.0

This is a book about the consequences of choices we make. It follows the story of a privileged woman named Akata who one day makes a choice to do something that later has ripple effects. One could also argue that this choice is more an unintended effect of choices others made too. It takes place in the midst of the electoral violence that consumed Kenya from 2007-2008. Gripping and thrilling read from such a brilliant writer!

onemorebookpodcast's review against another edition

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2.0

This fictional book follows the life of Kavata, the daughter of a prominent but also corrupt politician in Kenya as she navigates first, her student life, then partnership, career & motherhood while trying to carve a life outside of her father's shadow.

The book is set in December 2007 when Kenya had it’s General Elections & the PEV (Post Election Violence) that erupted thereafter. Through Kavata, her family & the various characters that she comes into contact with in the book, the writer describes the harrowing experiences that wrecked the whole country at this time. IMO, in as detailed as the experiences were told in the book, I felt like I was reading a compilation of newspaper articles. The story was told in a very 'surface level' way without going deep into the emotional effects that the PEV had on these characters. I wish that the author had concentrated on just one character, like Kavata for example, & delved deeper into her story (the trauma & the healing) which would have given me as a reader more time to form a connection with her. But instead, I was torn between so many different characters & all that they were going through which in the end made me feel less emotionally connected with any at all.

This book had so much potential but it fell short of it, unfortunately for me.

maysamazingday's review against another edition

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emotional informative tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

sarahwavi's review against another edition

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4.0

I enjoyed this book. The characters were so diverse and all had that pivotal point when they knew their lives were never going to be the same.
I especially liked the honest look into the different classes of Kenyans and what it means to be in said classes. How you have to open your eyes and accept differences instead of claiming that you’re family or the same because you’re Kenyan...It’s sad that this book didn’t feel fictional at all, just a retelling of what happened in 2007 and a very well retelling no doubt. My heart ached for the innocent and for the lack of justice.