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wamboikay's review against another edition
5.0
Utterly heartbreaking. Kenyans sadly know that this isn’t entirely fiction. It's sad to go back to the events of the 2007-2008 post election violence, which is where the story takes us. Aside from the heaviness of it, the family's stories are impeccably woven together. This is one of those books you must simply make the time for! Page turner, deep and fast paced.
cgswan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Violence, Police brutality, and Injury/Injury detail
certified_book_lover's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
sonea_moon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Loved it, I think it's such an important book. I could imagine this as a movie! Might be a little hard to understand for readers who initially know nothing about kenyan ethnic groups and who don't know Kiswahili but I'd say it's definitely worth a try for everyone!
beewangu's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
196books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Police brutality, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Blood and Murder
nabwirae's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Written from true events, the writing is remarkable, and eye opening.
ciikum's review against another edition
5.0
The first chapter of this book had me hooked. The prose was really good and kept me reading all thru, at 72% I almost didn’t sleep since I needed to know how it would end.
I felt transported back to 2007 just before elections and immediately after vividly. Queueing in supermarkets for supplies, running from police with teargas. The fear and horror of what was happening, not knowing if all your relatives were ok. Wanjiru was able to capture diverse feelings of different people. I need to discuss this book....
The book goes thru the horrors of that election thru the family of the Ngugi’s together with their staff and families. She manages to weave both what a majority and a few minority must have felt at that time. It’s a well told story that will make both Kenyans (we have a short memory) and non Kenyans want to google to know who is being inferred to by the various characters.
I loved the choice of title “havoc of choice” all our choices can sometimes lead us to a place where we blame ourselves for the havoc that’s running amok in our lives. If we could see a week into the what our choices could lead to, would we make different choices? Esp in moments that are crucibles in our lives.
4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I felt transported back to 2007 just before elections and immediately after vividly. Queueing in supermarkets for supplies, running from police with teargas. The fear and horror of what was happening, not knowing if all your relatives were ok. Wanjiru was able to capture diverse feelings of different people. I need to discuss this book....
The book goes thru the horrors of that election thru the family of the Ngugi’s together with their staff and families. She manages to weave both what a majority and a few minority must have felt at that time. It’s a well told story that will make both Kenyans (we have a short memory) and non Kenyans want to google to know who is being inferred to by the various characters.
I loved the choice of title “havoc of choice” all our choices can sometimes lead us to a place where we blame ourselves for the havoc that’s running amok in our lives. If we could see a week into the what our choices could lead to, would we make different choices? Esp in moments that are crucibles in our lives.
4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
readingnomad's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0