Reading around the world - Burundi and Italy

My Reading List and the story behind the project.

The True Sources of the Nile: A Novel by Sarah Stone

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Burundi.

While some of the book, the second half really takes place in the US it resonates with how an American expat brings the country with them when they return to the USA. Frankly, to me, that is an integral part of visiting so I am keeping this as a part of my "reading around the world" read-a-thon.

I am not sure why I did not chose more than three stars, it might be perhaps that while I could identify in some ways with the main character, I could not really make that connection. The character was like so many expats I have met who feel that their presence validates a country, which always rings so false with me. Having said that though, the character was a typical expat and that in and of itself deserves something more than the three stars, but that is to someone else, not me.

I learned a lot about Burundi and liked the way the relations between the Tutsis and Hutus was addressed, though I frankly know little about that situation. I think this is a good read for anyone exploring Africa in a read around the world.

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The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana by Umberto Eco

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars

Italy

I love Eco, and this is so not typical of him that I love him even more. This book is a pictorial journey through Italy in WWII. I have been a fan of Magic realism and this book seems to fit that bill. But a trip into the Italian soul of a book lovers journey is a wild and entertaining tale.

If you like the genre, read it.!

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