River Spirit

It took me a while to get into the story, but once I did I was able to completely immerse myself in it. This is a feast for literature connoisseurs!

The story takes place in 19th century Sudan. Akuany and her little brother Bol have been orphaned in a village raid and taken in by their late father’s friend, a young merchant Yaseen. First living with Yaseen’s sister, later enslaved, Akuany has to adjust to her frequently changing circumstances. At the same time a self proclaimed Mahdi prepares to claim power, and people around Akuany end up on different sides of the conflict.

When Akuany gets older her relationship with Yaseen evolves. The Mahdi revolution keeps tearing them apart, yet they are drawn to each other and stay close show more against all odds.

The writing is absolutely magical; it is descriptive yet not entirely direct. We learn about the atrocities of war but they are presented in a way that is not overly explicit or dramatic.

There are a few POVs and the narrative is switching between the first, third and even second person. The characters represent various combinations of national and religious background, political views and involvement in the conflict. It is a brilliant way to describe the events from different angles and show how they impact the lives of everyone affected.

It is not a light and easy read but I am glad and grateful that I picked it up. Highly recommended to all historical fiction lovers!

Thank you NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. show less

River Spirit by Leila Aboulela is a 2023 historical fiction novel that is set in the 1880s African country of Sudan. Akuany and her little brother Bol have been orphaned in a raid upon their village and taken in by their late father’s friend, Yaseen. Sudan is under the Ottoman rule but a new leader arises and he proclaims himself the Mahdi. We also have England playing a part as they have interests in Sudan as well.

The story is told from different points of view each one representing the various national and religious backgrounds and are on different sides of the conflict. Sudan’s history, of which I knew very little is portrayed in this novel with the author giving us a varied and interesting picture. Akuanys’ circumstances show more change frequently as she is caught up in the Mahdi Revolution. She is sold into slavery but she and Yaseen develop their relationship as best they can. At times I found this a very difficult novel to follow, with it’s many side stories and large number of characters to follow. The author seemed to place more importance on telling the history than in developing her story, so at times it definitely dragged.

I listened to an audio version of River Spirit and perhaps the book would have been easier to follow in a print version but it does gives the reader an interesting account of colonialism, Islam and the evolution of the country of Islam. show less

Set in the 19th Century in Sudan when the Ottoman Empire was ruling Sudan. Rebels under the leadership of a declared redeemer of Islam began to take over the country. Each chapter is told from the viewpoint of the many people who are caught in the political struggle causing the personal struggles of having to chose sides.

Yaseen is the son of a trader who befriends an orphaned girl and her younger brother and later goes on to study in Egypt. Akuany, the young girl, first lives as a servant in the house of Yaseen whose mother has adopted the younger brother. As the country becomes divided between those that follow the Mahdi (the proclaimed redeemer) and those that see him as a false prophet, there is violence and religious turmoil. Even show more though the Ottoman were also Muslims, the rebels believe them to be infidels as they are more open to progressive ideas. At the same time, the British become involved so the struggle becomes one of two Islamic factions and Christianity.

A well-written story that demonstrates the very complexities of this part of the world and the many shades of religious belief. Good read. show less

Well written
I have too little background in the historical context to fully appreciate this book

Livro 10 Tag 2024