57 pages • 1 hour read •
Afterlives
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Book Brief
275
Novel • Fiction
German East Africa • Early 20th century
2020
Bloomsbury Publishing
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah follows the lives of several Tanzanian individuals in the coastal village of Tanga during the German colonization, World War I, and its aftermath. Khalifa, an educated banker, marries Asha, who later suffers miscarriages. Ilyas, educated by Germans, rescues his sister Afiya from abusive relatives. Hamza, an ex-askari, falls in love with Afiya. Together, they navigate personal losses, colonial oppression, and the impacts of war, ultimately building new lives despite their traumas. The novel features violence by military groups and themes of child abuse and sexual harassment.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
14,295 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
In Afterlives, Abdulrazak Gurnah crafts a poignant narrative set in colonial East Africa. The novel has been praised for its evocative storytelling and rich historical detail. However, some critics noted its slow pacing. Overall, it is admired for its deep character development and exploration of themes like displacement and resilience.
Who Should Read Afterlives?
A reader who enjoys historical fiction with deep character exploration, especially on themes of colonialism and identity, will appreciate Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah. Fans of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will find this narrative compelling.
14,295 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Afiya
Afiya
A young girl who is taken in by Khalifa and Asha after being rescued from an abusive situation, Afiya learns to navigate and assert herself in a society with restrictive gender norms.
Hamza
Hamza
A young man with a troubled past who joins the askari under false pretenses, Hamza finds work and a new life in Tanga, where he forms important relationships and grows personally and professionally.
Asha
Asha
The niece of Amur and wife of Khalifa, Asha faces challenges in her society's patriarchal structure but provides care and discipline to her adoptive daughter, Afiya.
The Older Ilyas
The Older Ilyas
Afiya’s older brother, who takes her away from an abusive household and becomes enamored with the German colonial order, seeking to find his place through military involvement.
The Younger Ilyas
The Younger Ilyas
The son of Afiya and Hamza, whose curiosity and dreams drive him to uncover details about his family's past, particularly regarding his uncle.
Abdulrazak Gurnah's novel Afterlives explores the impact of colonialism in East Africa, drawing from historical contexts and personal experiences, reflecting Gurnah's own background from Zanzibar.
The novel was longlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize, shortly before Gurnah was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, highlighting his powerful storytelling and focus on themes of cultural displacement.
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Afterlives adds to Gurnah's body of work that often addresses themes of displacement, colonialism, and identity, giving insight into the complex histories and personal stories of East Africa.
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275
Novel • Fiction
German East Africa • Early 20th century
2020
Bloomsbury Publishing
Adult
18+ years
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