Behold the Dreamers (Oprah's Book Club)

Great Story About Life

I thoroughly enjoyed this story detailing life struggles of all people. It was vivid, colorful , happy, sad , and very humorous all wrapped in one. The author was so detailed you could see and hear the details & action as if it were happening before your eyes. There was so much compassion in these spirited characters that you felt you wanted to know them all better.

Also, I now feel I understand a little more of the trials & circumstances that immigrants go thru that we as native citizens take for granted in the USA.

The story and narrative are both interesting and compelling . I will look for more by the Author and Narrator. This Audible
Book is well worth the listen & points. Bravo!!!!
AE - Annapolis, MD

25 sur 28 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Listeni to this wonderful book !!!

an excellent book. probably as powerful in the reading as in the listening. ..however the reader used so many voices and accents expertly and believably, completely adding to my connection with the book. I love the resolution and the realizations the characters and I came to. behold this terrific book.

10 sur 11 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Overhyped

Prentice Oyemi's narration is stunning. He does such an incredible job moving between African, American, male and female characters. His performance is just beautiful.

I am a reader who prefers description and character development over plot. Unfortunately the writing is very flat, the story never gets going and it's message was lost in artificiality. Every time the I thought the story would pick up it fell away again. Overall I was very disappointed.

Neni is the best developed of the characters and the one scene, too far toward the end of the book, where we see her passion for her education was too little too late. That was the highlight of the book for me, but it wasn't nearly enough.

Jende was never developed enough, neither was his son, his employers or friends.

The book has been massively overhyped with Buzzfeed calling it a must read book of the summer. There are many, much better books that have been published in 2016 (I recommend Here Comes the Sun, by Nicole Denis-Benn) or by authors who are originally from African countries (try Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as one of the best).

For people who have been interested to read this book having seen the hype over it I would instead recommend authors such as Adichie, or to Jhumpa Lahiri, Khaled Hosseini, Zadie Smith, and to the lesser known, emerging authors such as Nicole Dennis-Benn and Chigozi Obiama. All of these authors have written better examinations of topics similar to what has been attempted here by Imbolo Mbue.

53 sur 62 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Chasing the American Dream

Any additional comments?

BTD is another story about an immigrant family's quest for the American Dream. It's poignant in light of today's immigration issues. Many come to America to pursue prosperity, freedom, comfort and security. But what price do individuals' pay to fulfill their dreams? Prentice Onayemi has such a soothing voice. His many accents and knowledge of native and non native idioms give much credibility to the story's narration. BTD demonstrates the daily fears and worries of immigrants, especially those who've entered the U.S. without proper documentation or without approval. Mr. Mbue demonstrates sensitivity, compassion and knowledge of the fight and plight of immigrant families.

9 sur 10 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Just okay...

First of all, I must say the narrator was one of the most impressive I've heard! He did an amazing job! Bravo! However, the story itself kinda fizzled for me as it went along. By the end I felt more than ready for it to be "the end." =\

21 sur 25 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Thoroughly enjoyable with reservations

I loved the twist and turns of this story. I did not enjoy as I often don't the subjugation of women to their husbands.

15 sur 18 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Beautifully written and beautifully read

Through happiness and sadness, I liked the people Imbolo introduced me to - even when I didn't like the things they did. The New York that I also love came alive, as did The Town of Friendship.

This is an author I will follow.

2 sur 2 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Great story!

loved the book. The reader really brought it home & made it real....the story - heart warming.

2 sur 2 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

Got me thinking!

Where does Behold the Dreamers (Oprah's Book Club) rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Among the best.

What did you like best about this story?

Gave me an understanding of what some immigrants experience coming to America. Also, made me think about how I feel about our immigration system.

Which character – as performed by Prentice Onayemi – was your favorite?

Wife.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No extremes.

Any additional comments?

Well written book with well developed characters that made me think and feel.

2 sur 2 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.

A wonderful story from start to finish.

I could not put this book down. Loved the New York setting. I also found the background of the immigrant story enlightening.
A must read for anyone.

2 sur 2 personne(s) ont trouvé cet avis utile.