58 pages • 1 hour read
Behold the Dreamers
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
416
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 2000s
2016
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Behold the Dreamers, by Imbolo Mbue, follows two families in New York during the 2008 recession: the Jongas, Cameroonian immigrants struggling with visa issues and economic hardship, and the wealthy, troubled Edwardses, grappling with personal and financial crises. Jende Jonga becomes the chauffeur for Clark Edwards, intertwining the lives and challenges faced by both families. The novel contains depictions of substance abuse, domestic violence, and infidelity.
Emotional
Inspirational
Bittersweet
Hopeful
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue has received acclaim for its vivid portrayal of immigrant life and the American Dream's complexities, characterized by strong storytelling and rich character development. However, some critics note it can be predictable and overly reliant on melodrama. Nonetheless, it remains a compelling, empathetic narrative on socio-economic issues.
Who Should Read Behold the Dreamers?
Readers who appreciate Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue tend to enjoy immersive immigrant stories, complex family dynamics, and themes of aspiration and hardship. Fans of books like Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri will find a similar resonance in Mbue's poignant narrative.
416
Novel • Fiction
New York City • 2000s
2016
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.