Book: Tiny Sunbirds Far Away
Author: Christie Watson
Pages: 436
How Long it Took Me To Read: 2 days (I could not put it down)
Publisher: Quercus
Plot Summary: Set in the Niger Delta, Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away is the witty and beautifully written story of one family’s attempt to survive a new life they could never have imagined, struggling to find a deeper sense of identity along the way.
When their mother catches their father with another woman, twelve year-old Blessing and her fourteen-year-old brother, Ezikiel, are forced to leave their comfortable home in Lagos for a village in the Niger Delta, to live with their mother's family.
Without running water or electricity, Warri is at first a nightmare for Blessing. Her mother is gone all day and works suspiciously late into the night to pay the children's school fees. Her brother, once a promising student, seems to be falling increasingly under the influence of the local group of violent teenage boys calling themselves Freedom Fighters. Her grandfather, a kind if misguided man, is trying on Islam as his new religion of choice, and is even considering the possibility of bringing in a second wife.
But Blessing's grandmother, wise and practical, soon becomes a beloved mentor, teaching Blessing the ways of the midwife in rural Nigeria. Blessing is exposed to the horrors of genital mutilation and the devastation wrought on the environment by British and American oil companies. As Warri comes to feel like home, Blessing becomes increasingly aware of the threats to its safety, both from its unshakable but dangerous traditions and the relentless carelessness of the modern world.
Things I Liked:
1. I am so glad I randomly came across this book on Book Chor and got it because the plot sounded interesting. I had never even heard of it and I am so happy I found my way to it. This book took me to Nigeria, a place I've been to a few times through books. But I have mostly found myself in urban homes and city lives and affluent or at least middle-class homes. This book took me to a whole other place. A place I have probably seen on grim News coverage and in headlines. A place which on the outset seems like hell and straight out of nightmares but if you look closely life is like it is everywhere- tough but it has it's moments.
2. I for some reason really enjoy reading about changing fortunes. I love seeing how people respond and react to when money/comfort and affluence slips away. To see life changing so dramatically is always intriguing to read about. This book we see Blessing and her family leave behind a life of comfort in Lagos and go from a good school, beautiful home and every comfort to move to the back of the beyond to a home with no running water or electricity. You heart breaks for her and you can't help but imagine what you'd do if you were ever found yourself in a similar position.
3. I couldn't stop reading this book. I read this in two sittings and had a hard time taking a break to do anything else, this is especially special because not like this book was inordinately action packed and happy. In fact the book was quite sad in parts and difficult to read and yet I found myself completely immersed in this world.
4. The book is quite grim and there is a lot going on. Yet interspersed with this difficult world and it's many problems is a this subtle humour that will make you laugh out loud. And that's life right? Even in the most grim situations there is always something to laugh about or life will give you moments of mirth.
5. This book is full of some amazing and real characters that just leap off the pages. Characters that aren't perfect, aren't always right and some are quite problematic yet there is something so human and real about them. The grandfather who has this bloated self-importance and who thinks that Nigerians don't have nut allergies and marmite is a cure for any and all illnesses! A grandmother who sprouts old wisdom and is a mentor to Blessing. Blessing's mother who is trying her best to pull her kids out this situation and do whatever it takes to provide for her family. And then we have Blessing herself who you immediately connect with and cheer for. A new step-grandmother who is funny and loud and slightly heartbreaking. The family compound is full of memorable characters and people who will love spending time with.
6. This book takes you to this world, this messy, noisy and chaotic world that runs on it's own rules. A world that is quite dangerous. A world that has child soldiers, the threat of violence, corrupt and cruel cops and a world where women are treated quite shabbily. We all know this world exists. And people live these lives and know nothing else and have no way out. And books and stories are such a good way to understand and learn about lives so different from our own lived experience. Especially when these stories are dealt with nuance and empathy. This isn't always an easy book to read. Some parts will crush you yet books and stories like these are so important because we need to bear witness. To learn to listen. Know how people live and survive.
7. Blessing becomes a birth assistant to her grandmother and helps deliver babies in tiny villages and this portion was just....gritty and occasionally devastating. To see old world traditions and superstitions and horrendous practices of FGM just...God why does the world treat women so horribly?! You will feel like you are right there with Blessing as she learns more about her trade and navigates this new world.
Rating: 4/5
An amazing book I am so glad I picked up.
Difficult to read in parts but very good.
Here are some of my favourite quotes from the book.
TW: Violence and FGM
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