Review of Another Poor Cow
-
Yvonne Bauer
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 22 Jul 2021, 19:28
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 8
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-yvonne-bauer.html
- Latest Review: Another Poor Cow by Martins Agbonlahor
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
Review of Another Poor Cow
[Following is a volunteer review of "Another Poor Cow" by Martins Agbonlahor.]
In the novel Another Poor Cow by Martins Agbonlahor, we are given a glimpse of the grief effected when the comfort of culture solidifies into tradition. As the young Nigerian, Onaiwu, discovers, the labels often remove the desire or willingness to evaluate the habits that, finally, lead us, or rather our children, into a labyrinthian loop of despair. Onaiwu comes to understand that life choices have been made for her since birth, and she has little control over the outcomes. However, she, being a good daughter of her tribe, continues on the path tradition lays out for her. Life is, nonetheless, not a straight line, and she finds herself on a road that leads through child slavery and the sex trade, lost in a strange country and, clinging to her inherent belief that life is good and people are kind, even more lost in a world of darkness that does not belong to her.
Agbonlahor begins his narration with an almost folk/fairytale cadence and gave me the feeling of being lullabied. Onaiwu presents as the typical young positive attitude fairytale protagonist: complete with a curse and a “fairy godmother” character, and further moves into an evil step-mother type situation. Thus, the story begins in a comfortable, familiar place with narration that is fluid and easy. Agbonlahor successfully creates for the reader a foundation of comfort to juxtapose the coming exposure to the dark side of human nature.
Unfortunately, as Agbonlahor moves into the meat of the story, right where I should be connecting to the protagonist, empathizing, and rooting her on, the didactic or moral of the story becomes more important to him than the story itself. I do understand that the purpose of this story is to shine a light on a heinous practice that is still far more common than any of us would like to admit, but the true power of a story is that it is a story. It is a place where readers can live a moment of a character’s existence and, for even an instant, be outside of themselves, and see the world through another’s eyes. To change from a folktale narrator creating a world that we can see and feel to a “just the facts” journalist more interested in sermonizing breaks the bond that was possible with the reader—the bond that triggers the empathy and desire to change. Even the narrator seemed to feel nothing, only to think opinions.
Because of the loss of characterization right when I needed it most, I give Another Poor Cow 2 out of 4 stars. It is a quick easy read that has been well-edited in regard to structure; although, I think a good editor could have helped save the characterization. I do believe that the story itself is important and has value in the didactic, but a message is ofttimes better inferred than shoved down the reader’s throat.
Agbonlahor’s writing would be well suited for young adults, though some of the topics are difficult and should be addressed—in addition, be prepared for the continuous use of sesquipedalia. It also may have use in the world of anthropology and social justice groups; however, in my mind, it falls short of both literary and expository value. That having been said, I think it worth a rewrite.
******
Another Poor Cow
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
In the novel Another Poor Cow by Martins Agbonlahor, we are given a glimpse of the grief effected when the comfort of culture solidifies into tradition. As the young Nigerian, Onaiwu, discovers, the labels often remove the desire or willingness to evaluate the habits that, finally, lead us, or rather our children, into a labyrinthian loop of despair. Onaiwu comes to understand that life choices have been made for her since birth, and she has little control over the outcomes. However, she, being a good daughter of her tribe, continues on the path tradition lays out for her. Life is, nonetheless, not a straight line, and she finds herself on a road that leads through child slavery and the sex trade, lost in a strange country and, clinging to her inherent belief that life is good and people are kind, even more lost in a world of darkness that does not belong to her.
Agbonlahor begins his narration with an almost folk/fairytale cadence and gave me the feeling of being lullabied. Onaiwu presents as the typical young positive attitude fairytale protagonist: complete with a curse and a “fairy godmother” character, and further moves into an evil step-mother type situation. Thus, the story begins in a comfortable, familiar place with narration that is fluid and easy. Agbonlahor successfully creates for the reader a foundation of comfort to juxtapose the coming exposure to the dark side of human nature.
Unfortunately, as Agbonlahor moves into the meat of the story, right where I should be connecting to the protagonist, empathizing, and rooting her on, the didactic or moral of the story becomes more important to him than the story itself. I do understand that the purpose of this story is to shine a light on a heinous practice that is still far more common than any of us would like to admit, but the true power of a story is that it is a story. It is a place where readers can live a moment of a character’s existence and, for even an instant, be outside of themselves, and see the world through another’s eyes. To change from a folktale narrator creating a world that we can see and feel to a “just the facts” journalist more interested in sermonizing breaks the bond that was possible with the reader—the bond that triggers the empathy and desire to change. Even the narrator seemed to feel nothing, only to think opinions.
Because of the loss of characterization right when I needed it most, I give Another Poor Cow 2 out of 4 stars. It is a quick easy read that has been well-edited in regard to structure; although, I think a good editor could have helped save the characterization. I do believe that the story itself is important and has value in the didactic, but a message is ofttimes better inferred than shoved down the reader’s throat.
Agbonlahor’s writing would be well suited for young adults, though some of the topics are difficult and should be addressed—in addition, be prepared for the continuous use of sesquipedalia. It also may have use in the world of anthropology and social justice groups; however, in my mind, it falls short of both literary and expository value. That having been said, I think it worth a rewrite.
******
Another Poor Cow
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Another Poor Cow by Martins Agbonlahor
