In the Country of Men: Hisham Matar
My OCD nature and my general apathy have been having a big fight about this book. My general apathy tells me I have no opinion and nothing worth saying in this review. I didn’t dislike it, I didn’t like it. My OCD nature tells me my universe might implode if I don’t have a fully complete record of every single book that I read this year.
The OCD nature has won, clearly (it always does) but the general apathy tells me this review is going to be sketchy at best. (I would say my review is probably not worth reading, but DON’T DESERT ME dear readers).
This is absolutely not to be confused with ‘No Country For Old Men.’ This is a story set in 1970′s Libya, narrated by a young boy whose father is caught up in opposition to Gaddaffi’s regime. The big theme of the book is opposition and betrayal. Is it right to protect your family by rejecting your beliefs?
After a little bit of a google, it puzzles me that this book has got such near-universal critical acclaim – most of the amazon reviewers raved about it, and it was long-listed for the Booker. It feels like a lot of work went into the book, but for me, it just doesn’t come off. It’s a bit novel-writing by numbers: issues are raised just to be ticked off the list, every character does and says what you’d expect them to. There’s really nice writing in places, but it feels a bit like sleepwalking through the story.
It’s fine. And I didn’t dislike it. It’s just, y’know, whatever.
Alright, well, fear not, because I’ve also read some good books lately so please wait while I write those up too.
Posted on October 14, 2010, in Uncategorized and tagged book review, book reviews, books, hisham matar, in the country of men, literature, reading, women. Bookmark the permalink. 6 Comments.
I ve just got this from library to read it is considered a modern classic ,all the best stu
I know! That’s why I’m even more surprised that I couldn’t care less about it. Why does it deserve this classic label? Is it just that no other books have been written about that time and place? I’ll be very interested to read your review.
I’ve got this on my shelf… haven’t read it yet. I’m totally compulsive about recording my thoughts on books too — negative as well as positive.
Oh, I TOTALLY get that! It’s always the books you love or hate that you can write brilliantly about – it’s the books in the middle that feel like a drag to review. You didn’t feel particularly strongly about it, the plot isn’t especially noteworthy, and you kinda wish your sensible side would win out and let you ignore it (because NO ONE WOULD KNOW) – but the other side of you is screaming, “No! No!!!! I’d know, I’D KNOW!” So you end up reviewing it anyway. Anyway, I think you did a marvellous job with your apathetic review – nice to know I’m not the only one who feels that urge to review EVERYTHING and feels guilty if they don’t!
I heart you entirely Ellie.
You HEART me or you HEAR me?! Either way… thank you…