I so wanted to love this book, but although the plot and the setting intrigued me. The events of the story are gradually revealed through the testimonies of various characters, and a 'chorus' of children. The events are shocking, and provoke outrage, and the book is cleverly structured, but although the characters are diverse, they all seem to speak with the same voice. I found this a real barrier to engaging with the book, and despite my best intentions, I struggled to finish it.

I'm sure that others will find the book a rewarding read, though.

“No matter their pretenses, they all arrive here believing they have the power to take from us or give to us whatever will satisfy their endless wants.”

Where to start ... I've just finished this and am lost for words. It has touched me in so many ways, stirred a kaleidoscope of emotions. I'm angry, depressed, aghast at the arrogance and cruelty of mankind. But at the same time, utterly in awe of the resilience of the human spirit.

We're somewhere in Africa, in the village of Kosawa, where children are dying. The water they drink is contaminated. The air they breath is polluted. And the soil that grows their food is laced with toxins.

Pexton is the American oil company camped out on Kosawa's doorstep. Convinced of its superiority, and driven by greed and recklessness, it is callously heedless to the suffering its drilling and flaring is causing the villagers. All it has to offer are platitudes and empty promises; the endless repetition of “old lies in new words”. And it has the audacity to believe that's enough.

How Beautiful We Were is the story of Kosowa's 40-year struggle — against Pexton and a corrupt government— to reclaim its land and its livelihood. Its fight to keep its children safe and bequeath to them a secure future in a village that is their earthly and spiritual home. We see their struggle through the eyes of three generations; their hope dimming with each passing decade.

Mbue's narrative is forceful and compelling; its power coming from the way she humanizes problems that, by and large, are beyond our direct experience: the craven lust for power and wealth that rides roughshod over dignity, respect and morality.

This story is a fiction, but it is rooted in a monstrous reality. I tip my hat to Mbue for shining a light on the wrongs that have been done and continue to be done in the name of “progress”.

You cannot read this without being left with a bittersweet feeling of sadness for the beauty of spirit that was stripped away, mingled with wonder and joy that it existed.

How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue is a powerful novel delving into the human tragedies that occur when Western greed invades African resources.

It is Ms. Mbue’s second novel and it is just as mesmerizing and enthralling as her first!

The story is told from multiple perspectives – it alternates between a group of “age-mates” children, all friends of Thula, and Thula’s family members. Each character is masterfully created through backstories, folk-lore and current day events and each one is worthy of the deep connection that I felt for them all.

It’s a heart-wrenching novel of love, family, sacrifice, determination and hope. It’s beautiful and unforgettable. The narrative flows slowly yet deeply and although it’s filled with sadness at what communities do to each other, it will leave you feeling hopeful, and with a desire to walk through the village of Kosawa, laugh with the descendants of the Leopard people and hope to be blessed by the Spirit.

#netgalley #howbeautifulwewere #imbolombue #canongate

I absolutely loved this story told from the viewpoint of various members of the main family. Kosawa is in for a fight for survival suffering the after effects of colonialism to then be subjugated by American oil entrepreneurs. The villagers fight not only for their land and beliefs but their survival. In a tale that is reminiscent of Erin Brokovich it's pulls at the heart strings and makes you empathise with Thula who leaves for a better education only to become a revolutionary.