Brief Summary
As the 1950s Mau Mau war breaks out in the foothills of Mt. Kenya, Wambũi, a fourteen-year-old girl leaves her besieged village to join a prestigious boarding school a half day’s journey away by train. There, she becomes aware of her extraordinary mathematical abilities discovered by her teacher, Eileen Atwood. Initially, Wambũi views Eileen’s attentions with suspicion and hostility, but over time, the two grow close and form a lifelong friendship. Unfortunately for Wambũi, the mid-twentieth century isn’t ready for a female math prodigy, particularly in Kenya.
But she quietly and defiantly takes on the obstacles seeking to define her, applying her unusual gifts in new directions, which ultimately benefits her impoverished family and inspires her siblings and their children to pursue their own dreams. After forty years in Kenya, Eileen unexpectedly loses her employment authorization and is forced to return to England, where she struggles to adjust to living in a country she barely recognizes. Meanwhile, Wambũi’s son, Ray, a doctor, navigates a fraught visa application process and travels to America to begin residency training; however, his hospital becomes insolvent and shuts down a year later. He and his colleagues are assimilated into other programs where, as foreign-born physicians, they endure relentless prejudice. As a black man, he also discovers that the streets of Chicago are sometimes quick to judge, with serious consequences.
A saga of family and friendship spanning five decades and three continents, 'The People of Ostrich Mountain' chronicles the interconnected lives of three outsiders as they navigate the vagaries of race, gender and immigration.
mushomoro –
I love this book. Horror at its best
Nasike –
‘When you are a mother, you are allowed to think your children are ugly’, Chanchori begins. This story is all kinds of ugly and unhinged, in a lovely way.
Do you know how to pronounce Honoreaux? The reaux is pronounced as ‘row your boat’ and not as the ‘ox’. Clap for me. In Nduta’s The Hotel Honoreaux, we are all characters in our own books.
Sigh* I have no words for this. Heartbreaking. That’s all. What’s justice really? Narrated in a childlike voice and hopelessness of a victim, Heri takes you through Phantom Justice.
‘A pig with lipstick is still a pig’. The contempt, the sardonicism, the cynicism! Eish! Action packed! Damn! Nthenya packs a mean punch, a loaded gun, a precise knife…Okay, let me stop here.
Azriel’s wife took Noel and Wairimu and… It’s just a normal day at work, I guess. Koina’s writing is part sentimental and part cracked. Cracked for crazy.
Rogoi’s The Milk Wars is impeccably descriptive. However, the use of the first person was quite confusing.
Mid-story, Aliet throws in big words like tumescence. There’s cynical characters with erotic asphyxiation fantasies. Throw in an inclination towards rape and somnophilia.
ResH reminds me of high school. We were accused of lesbianism and devil worshipping during a parents meeting. Our parents looked shocked and crestfallen. My mum looked at me solemnly and said,
“Mama, you cannot engage in lesbianism. It’s wrong, it’s bad and evil’.
I wanted to ask her if being a devil worshiper would make things better. I didn’t. To her relief, I love boys. To her dismay, I can’t seem to keep one for a lifetime.
When we talk gender, everyone assumes it’s a woman issue. I guess, it’s easier for society to face aggression towards women. Aggression of any kind towards men is met with more aggression and victim shaming. Then the man dies or is in his deathbed. At that moment, everyone seeks justice. Ironical, right? Even then, there’s what-aboutism and every kind of alternate narrative.
Muriuki doesn’t pull punches. However, I guess, she figures that society won’t be as angry if her character Mugera dies. So, Cici is that buffer, the character that bears the brunt of making society face the enormity of gender-based violence.
I love the book, the stories and the emotions they drag you through. Now, I don’t know about you, but my friends were scared that I was reading a book with such a cover. I told them to relax because I have read worse.
Bridgette Kwamboka –
I really loved everything about this book. I love anthologies and this one surpassed my expectations. The writers promise diversity and deliver it. I loved how varied the stories were yet so relatable. Read the book and get ten different beautiful stories by our great writers.
Wairimu Theuri –
Absolutely amazing. I have gone through a whirlwind of emotions.
Job well done.
Angela Theuri –
A Slice of Darkness for Breakfast is an amazing book, The stories are very engaging, and a page turner. You will not be disappointed.