Reviews

Astonishing the Gods by Ben Okri

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emmaraeempowered's review against another edition

mysterious reflective

5.0

I'm obsessed with Ben Okri's writing oh my gosh!!

This book was incredible! I am so happy I finally picked this up! I knew by the first few pages that this was going to be one of my favorite books. Its one of those reads where every sentence is so beautifully constructed that I wanted to highlight every inch of it.

"Only then can we find what we didn't seek and go where we don't intend to go." as advised on the first page I read this slowly, I took my time with each chapter but I eagerly turned the pages for more. Much of this story I felt related to the Ancestors, the ones who were thrown or jumped into the ocean, water spirits still reaching out to us. Some parts I immediately felt connected by thinking of my Ancestors whose names and stories I don't know. They are invisible , but I still know they are there.

Then other parts of this I felt a strong connection to just based on how this year personally has been for me. I have grown a lot and healed through a lot and I felt some parts of my journey related to scenes in this book. I've been seeking a lot out of my life but there has been a lot more that has just happened to me without me asking, praying, or meditating. And there's been a lot that I had to learn on my own, some things cannot be taught. It's been tough, joyous, sad, and beautiful.

This is a book I will reread every year with a new aspect jumping out at me each time. A new connection to find me, a new journey to go on. It's a copy that will be marked up and annotated many many times. And a book I will always recommend. Ben Okri is incredible!

thomasdj's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

yikesnation's review against another edition

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This book has more an air of a feeling rather than one of a lesson. It doesn’t feel like it should be rated, but that’s kind of the point. I think this is something I will sit and reflect on for a while and will pick up again in time. I liked the chance to read every word.

dajna's review against another edition

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3.0

I needed to read a Nigerian author for a challenge, and I needed a short book to complete the task in the allotted amount of time, so I choosed Ben Okri's Astonishing the Gods.
I regret so much I had to rush throught it. Althougt short and, apparently, a sort of fairy tale, I feel like every word is there for a reason. Okri gives us his utopia, as many philosophers has done before.