Plot Summary

Crossbones

Nuruddin Farah
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Crossbones

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2011

Book Brief

Nuruddin Farah

Crossbones

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2011
Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Somalia • 2000s

Publication Year

2011

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Crossbones by Nuruddin Farah, the final installment in the Past Imperfect trilogy, can be read independently and follows Somali-American brothers Malik and Ahl as they return to Somalia amid the 2006 Ethiopian invasion. Malik, a journalist, aims to report on the conflict, while Ahl seeks his stepson, Taxliil, who has joined jihadists. Through their journeys, they confront harsh realities and reassess their views on their ancestral homeland. The novel includes themes of war, extremism, and familial strife.

Gritty

Informative

Emotional

Mysterious

Suspenseful

Reviews & Readership

3.7

321 ratings

48%

Loved it

40%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Crossbones by Nuruddin Farah has garnered mixed reviews. Critics praise the novel for its rich portrayal of Somali culture and intricate interweaving of personal and political narratives. Farah's character development and vivid settings receive high marks. However, some reviewers find the plot occasionally disjointed and the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a thought-provoking read with both strengths and weaknesses.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Crossbones?

Readers who enjoy exploring complex geopolitical issues, cultural clashes, and personal narratives within African contexts will appreciate Nuruddin Farah's Crossbones. Fans of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun will find this novel similarly engaging.

3.7

321 ratings

48%

Loved it

40%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Somalia • 2000s

Publication Year

2011

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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