57 pages • 1 hour read
Abdulrazak GurnahAfterlives
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah follows the lives of several Tanzanian individuals in the coastal village of Tanga during the German colonization, World War I, and its aftermath. Khalifa, an educated banker, marries Asha, who later suffers miscarriages. Ilyas, educated by Germans, rescues his sister Afiya from abusive relatives. Hamza, an ex-askari, falls in love with Afiya. Together, they navigate personal losses, colonial oppression, and the impacts of war, ultimately building new lives despite their traumas. The novel features violence by military groups and themes of child abuse and sexual harassment.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
In Afterlives, Abdulrazak Gurnah crafts a poignant narrative set in colonial East Africa. The novel has been praised for its evocative storytelling and rich historical detail. However, some critics noted its slow pacing. Overall, it is admired for its deep character development and exploration of themes like displacement and resilience.
Who Should Read Afterlives?
A reader who enjoys historical fiction with deep character exploration, especially on themes of colonialism and identity, will appreciate Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah. Fans of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will find this narrative compelling.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Historical Fiction
Military / War
Race / Racism
Trauma / Abuse / Violence
Colonialism / Postcolonialism
Society: Colonialism
Relationships: Marriage
Society: War