What I'm Currently Reading | April 2017

TL;DR

Discusses thoughts on three books currently being read - "The Power" by Naomi Alderman, "British Museum" by Daljit Nagar, and "Stay With Me" by Ayobami Adebayo.

Transcript

it's the end of the day and I'm just chillin in my flat and I thought hey I should do a currently reading video I haven't done one this month yeah I am reading three books activate the woman so you guys might like to hear my thoughts on them so far they are all really interesting different books so I am quite looking forward to telling you about th... Read More

Key Insights

• ✊ "The Power" by Naomi Alderman presents a dystopian world where women possess a newfound power, highlighting gender dynamics and societal power structures.
• 🇮🇴 "British Museum" by Daljit Nagar explores themes of British imperialism and the complex relationship between history, politics, and the integration of different cultures.
• 🧔‍♀️ "Stay With Me" by Ayobami Adebayo delves into the pressures on women to fulfill specific roles in Nigerian society, as well as the complexities and challenges of relationships.
• 💭 These books offer thought-provoking insights into power, imperialism, gender, societal expectations, and personal struggles.
• 👻 The dystopian genre allows for the exploration of alternative societies and power dynamics, highlighting social issues and provoking discussions.
• 😑 Poetry collections, such as "British Museum," provide a platform for artistic expression and commentary on historical and political themes.
• 😀 African fiction, like "Stay With Me," offers unique perspectives and insights into the diverse cultures, histories, and challenges faced by individuals on the continent.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does "The Power" by Naomi Alderman explore the concept of power in relation to women?

"The Power" imagines a world where women possess a physical power that allows them to electrocute things, disrupting societal balance and challenging gender dynamics. It explores the consequences and reactions to this newfound power.

Q: What themes does "British Museum" by Daljit Nagar address in its poetry collection?

"British Museum" addresses themes of British imperialism, politics, history, migration to Britain, and the integration of different cultures. Nagar's collection delves into these topics with poetic exploration and critique.

Q: What is the central conflict in "Stay With Me" by Ayobami Adebayo?

"Stay With Me" focuses on Yejide, a Nigerian woman unable to bear a child, and her husband's decision to take a second wife to fulfill societal expectations. The novel explores the repercussions of this decision and the complexities of relationships.

Q: How does the protagonist in "Stay With Me" deal with societal pressure and expectations?

Yejide faces immense pressure from her family and society to have a child. She grapples with feelings of inadequacy and is subjected to criticism and mistreatment. The novel sensitively portrays her emotional journey and the toll societal expectations have on her.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• "The Power" by Naomi Alderman is a dystopian novel where women possess a physical strength to electrocute things, and explores how this power affects society.

• "British Museum" by Daljit Nagar is a poetry collection that tackles themes of British imperialism, history, politics, migration to Britain, and the integration of different cultures.

• "Stay With Me" by Ayobami Adebayo is an African fiction novel set in Nigeria during the 1980s, following the story of a woman who faces pressure to bear a child and deals with other complex relationships.