The Wretch Unsung

Rating:
Summary: An interesting look at an oft forgotten bit of the world...
Review: I just finished reading this book for the second time last night...so obviously I've enjoyed it. This book offers an interesting look at both the nation of Senegal and the Peace Corps, both of which I've had friends involved with.

At first it's not easy to like Will enough to care much about him (though his attitudes are not entirely uncommon for his age and stage in life), perhaps a dangerous way to start a story, but in this case the author pulls it off, and I found myself quite involved in this story, and particularly this second time through I found the chapters flying by once I got into it.

I certainly wouldn't call it a cheery story...but then life in Senegal isn't all that cheery for lots of folks, either. And there's a positive aspect there, mostly in a rather understated way, in Will's development as a person.

The insights into the details of life in Senegal are of interest both simply as a collection of facts about a place many of us would live our whole lives without ever learning about, and as a vivid backdrop for the story. The author uses this, and the character's reactions, to truly convey the sense of complete alienness of this land as experienced by an American visitor.

To me, there is only one real fault, though I have mixed feelings on it. Some of the writing, particularly the use of metaphor, is just a bit too over the top for my tastes. And yet, on the second reading, I think perhaps this use of the extreme at least serves a useful purpose, in that it helps to convey just how far from the normal the setting is to the characters.

Overall, definitely a good read and well worth purchasing. I'll likely read it a third time, and look forward to a sequel.

Rating:
Summary: Great fictional tale based on many true events that happened
Review: I was really impressed by this fictional tale of a journey into self-discovery. I think the author did a very nice job of taking events that really happened to him or his friends during his stay in Senegal, West Africa for the Peace Corps and wove them into a fictional tale that draws the reader in and leaves them wondering "What happens to Will?". The rumor is book 2 is in the making........A great value for the read.