Plot Summary

A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali

Gil Courtemanche
Guide cover placeholder

A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2000

Book Brief

Gil Courtemanche

A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2000
Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kigali, Rwanda • 1990s

Publication Year

2000

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali by Gil Courtemanche follows the tragic love story of a documentary filmmaker, Bernard Valcourt, and a Hutu waitress, Gentille, set against the backdrop of the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Bernard, in Rwanda to establish a new television station and document the AIDS crisis, falls deeply in love with Gentille. As violence escalates, their relationship faces harrowing trials, culminating in unimaginable loss. Topics include violence, genocide, and the AIDS crisis.

Dark

Unnerving

Emotional

Melancholic

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.1

4,404 ratings

74%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Gil Courtemanche's A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali is highly regarded for its poignant portrayal of love and tragedy set against the Rwandan genocide. Critics commend its raw, vivid narrative and emotional depth. However, some find its graphic content challenging and its pacing uneven. Overall, it is praised for its powerful impact and brutal honesty.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali?

Readers who appreciate A Sunday at the Pool in Kigali by Gil Courtemanche are drawn to poignant and visceral narratives set against historical backdrops, similar to Hosseini’s The Kite Runner and Roy’s The God of Small Things. They seek deep emotional engagement and a profound understanding of human resilience amidst tragedy.

4.1

4,404 ratings

74%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kigali, Rwanda • 1990s

Publication Year

2000

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!