GOOD EVENING, FRIENDS!
This is the book that started it all. We wouldn't be here today if it weren't for O Africa, because this blog wouldn't be here. So many things would be different in our lives. I wouldn't have read this book for starters.
But I did, so let's discuss.
O Africa was a pretty good book. It took me a bit of time to get into, mostly because I was distracted by the Kavalier and Clay similarities, but once I did, I was hooked.
Let's start with the obvious. This guy LOVES Michael Chabon. And I mean, who doesn't! I'm a huge fan, hell, my whole last post was about him. (WOAH. Am I being incepted? I just read a book written buy a guy who wants to write like Chabon after reading a book by Chabon who wants to write like Fitzgerald. MIND. BLOWN.)
Back to the book: Super well written, interesting plot. The story follows two twin brothers. Obviously they're the exact opposite. (Side note: are twins ever super similar? I feel like the Olsens probably are. Do they hate the fact that everyone thinks twins are polar opposites?) One brother, Micah Grand is very rambunctious and showy and thrives on attention, the other brother Izzy Grand is super shy and reserved. They became obsessed with film as children and followed their passion to become famous movie people.
The story starts in the 20s during the silent film era, when both of these brothers are crazy famous and important for their goofy films. I basically see them as a kind of Apatow crowd type of movie makers. Obviously Micah runs into some financial trouble, because he is the troubled twin, and the twins agree to make a movie for some black gangsters while filming some stock footage in Africa.
This film within a book is kind of like Django, but starts at the very beginning of black history. It's a very moving picture, which the script of it takes up a whole chapter which is a very cool stylistic approach. The Grand brothers are very revolutionary in agreeing to make a movie this controversial.
AND THIS IS WHERE THE STORY GETS GOOD.
A lot of shit happens in Africa:
• A motley crew of film people begin to film three films simultaneously, one of which is a HUGE SECRET (the gangster movie) to most of the people involved.
• Izzy, who is totally gay but too neurotic and reserved to admit it in New York, falls for an African prince and becomes himself i.e. gay.
• Micah kind of becomes a decent man while he's there, living up to his full potential, filming this important movie and bonding with the people that he meets
• All of these people learn the culture of the Africans and begin to understand humanity a little more
• A very horrible thing happens that snowballs and escalates and basically sets up every single character to fail by the end of the book. It's heartbreaking and amazing storytelling. It came out of nowhere. (Unless of course, you're a fan of the Checkov's gun principle. HAVE I SAID TOO MUCH?)
Basically, once they get back from Africa, the story is crazy captivating and I was mildly obsessed with finishing it. No character gets off unscathed, and that's how I like to finish a book, with everything in shambles. (What does this say about me?)
There are a lot of cool little touches in this book, like the beginning scene with Babe Ruth inventing the Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island and the brothers nicknaming the Academy Award Oscar. These are fun little anecdotes that help soften the overall sadness you feel while reading the book.
Overall, this was a smart, exciting book that touches on a lot of tough topics like homosexuality, race, love, loss, and violence. And it does all of this in a cool way that you don't expect what's coming to you.
So, rating system...
Have I talked about this book while drunk? Actually, surprisingly not very much. I did, however, talk about it this evening in the process of getting drunk for this book report. Does this count? I honestly don't think I was sold on it until I finished it. And seeing as I just finished it yesterday, I haven't had much time to get drunk and talk about it. I PROMISE I'LL CHANGE.
Would I recommend this book while drunk? I am sad to say that this is now the SECOND book report where I'm saying I would recommend The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay over this book. (I'm assuming I said this). However, this is a good book, and I would absolutely recommend it if I was asked specifically about this book. (I mean, come on, I have a ton of books that I would recommend before this one.)
OKAY YAY BOOKS GOODNIGHT.
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