A Stranger in Olondria

ju reviewed A Stranger in Olondria by Sofia Samatar (Olondria)

A wonderful novel

5 stars

This is an ode to books, the power and poetry of words and stories, and it's gorgeously written, without pretention, in a way that takes the reader seriously and transports them instantly into the maze of the author's imagination. The world created isn't a typical western-middle-age fantasy world, it's strongly influenced by south asia, and north and east africa. If you're longing for something poetic and vivid, it's a rewarding read.

moving to outside.ofa.dog reviewed A Stranger in Olondria by Sofia Samatar (Olondria)

Review of 'A stranger in Olondria' on 'LibraryThing'

5 stars

What a gorgeous book. The rich, rich writing is a feast for the eyes, and while at first it felt like that would be the sole pleasure of the book (which would have been enough to keep me reading!), after a few chapters it turns into a gripping story that has a lot to say the clash of literate vs oral cultures, the experience of being a stranger in a strange land, and the pitfalls of putting a culture on a pedestal.

betty reviewed A Stranger in Olondria by Sofia Samatar (Olondria)

Review of 'A Stranger in Olondria' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

This is a book that is definitely About Something. I'm not sure what.

I mean, it's clearly About literacy, and pre-literate cultures, and the contact between them. It's also About disability, and the intersection of economics and class. It's a little bit About abuse in families and responses to it, and being an immigrant.

But man, what's it about? I don't know. Reading. Something about reading.

Should you read this book: if you like nineteenth century first-person travel accounts, you should buy this book immediately, because that is what it is most like. If you like fantasy that is not like other fantasy, give this a shot? If you have a lot of feelings about reading, you might like this.

Discussion questions for people who have read this book:
Why is every story from an oral tradition so terrible? Like, not bad, just depressing and awful.

What is …

This is a book that is definitely About Something. I'm not sure what.

I mean, it's clearly About literacy, and pre-literate cultures, and the contact between them. It's also About disability, and the intersection of economics and class. It's a little bit About abuse in families and responses to it, and being an immigrant.

But man, what's it about? I don't know. Reading. Something about reading.

Should you read this book: if you like nineteenth century first-person travel accounts, you should buy this book immediately, because that is what it is most like. If you like fantasy that is not like other fantasy, give this a shot? If you have a lot of feelings about reading, you might like this.

Discussion questions for people who have read this book:
Why is every story from an oral tradition so terrible? Like, not bad, just depressing and awful.

What is the purpose of referring to what the readers clearly recognize as ghost as an angel?

What is the purpose of Miros' storyline?

I don't know, man.

MJ reviewed A Stranger in Olondria by Sofia Samatar (Olondria)

Review of 'A Stranger in Olondria' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Wonderful and unexpected.

A superbly crafted world and far more emotion than I was expecting. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an unconventional fantasy.

unicorndeburgh reviewed A Stranger in Olondria by Sofia Samatar (Olondria)

Review of 'A Stranger in Olondria' on 'Goodreads'

No rating

Gorgeous book. Amazingly rich world building, and beautiful writing. It does lack suspense. I was never anxious to know what happens next—but I was alway happy to be reading and in that world.