Book Review: Behold The Dreamers, by Imbolo Mbue

 This is a blast from the Backlist, as it was first published in 2016.  At that time it won lots of awards, and somehow, I never ever saw it.  I was reading less back then, I suppose. 

This debut novel for Mbue  has a lot to love and it remains relevant today! 

      

  In short, readers are given the story of a Cameroonian couple who are determined to make in the America.   Jende did not have it easy in Cameroon, so when he arrives in the US and gains employment as a chauffer for one of Lehman Brother's top men, he's thrilled.  He's well paid, and he and his wife are able to start planning a future. Neither have the correct visas nor a green card, but they are encouraged to not worry too much about the future as no one can predict the future. Through his job, Jende has a view of the ultra-wealthy in the US- and gives readers the same view. 

    All goes along as one might expect until the 2008 financial crisis.

Jende's employer is in crisis, which eventually trickles down to Jende. Cash Flow is at stake, but also relationships which everyone believed were based on more than cold hard cash.  Each character is forced to face some unpleasant realities and each makes choices that they could not have dreamed of making in the past. 

Mbue's novel pulled me in and I could not put it down. It pulsed with a rhythm that drew me in and kept my attention. I was particularly impressed at how even some minor characters were fully fleshed out, and had complete side stories that were as engaging as the main narrative. 

  This novel won the PEN/Faulkner aware in 2017 and I can see why. Well written and edited, compelling unique story which resonates well beyond the 2008 setting. 

     5 stars from me. Worth the read! 

STATS

First Published :March 2016

Pages: 400

Available as an Audio Book : Yes!

Trigger Warnings: parental death, infant death, prejudice, domestic violence, drug use, alcohol use. Not a full list - please read responsibly.