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calarco 's review for:
Gingerbread
by Helen Oyeyemi
Helen Oyeyemi is a talented author with a particular shtick—adapting fairytales into modern day contexts. In [b:The Icarus Girl|139724|The Icarus Girl|Helen Oyeyemi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320554010i/139724._SY75_.jpg|1010571] she draws from Nigerian mythology playing with the notion of doppelgangers, in [b:Boy, Snow, Bird|18079683|Boy, Snow, Bird|Helen Oyeyemi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1391384454i/18079683._SX50_.jpg|25386975] she presents the tale of Snow White to explore colorism, and in [b:Gingerbread|40634915|Gingerbread|Helen Oyeyemi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549556368i/40634915._SX50_.jpg|63138438] she spins an acid dream out of the story of Hansel and Gretel.
Could I even summarize what Gingerbread is as a piece of literature? Not really, no, which at times is entertaining and others frustrating. Even though elements of Hansel and Gretel are at the forefront, exploring the world(?) of Druhástrana (which may or may not exist) is more like falling into a meandering tale in the vein of Alice in Wonderland. Just as in a dream, meaning is highly contextual and subject to an everchanging stream of consciousness. Though in true Oyeyemi fashion, she does use Druhástrana to share some thoughts on current events:
”..the need for Druhástrana’s Great Referendum (the one that divorced it from all formal international relations and most informal ones too) had been brought about by a general taking of umbrage against all the foreigners who kept coming in and trying to propagate distracting inequalities, stuff about physical appearance and who people should and should not fancy and places of prayer that were better than others, or notions that the best people don’t pray at all … Druhástranians didn’t need any of that. What Druhástranians wanted was to keep things simple and concentrate on upholding financial inequality.” (102)
I think it’s safe to say that Oyeyemi probably voted “Remain,” but I digress. While much of the plot leaves a great deal up in the air for interpretation, the one thing that stands is that Druhástrana is a place of chaos, which is the best way I could even try to explain this book. This is also Gingerbread's greatest strength.
Overall, I recommend it, though I would recommend her earlier works first.
Could I even summarize what Gingerbread is as a piece of literature? Not really, no, which at times is entertaining and others frustrating. Even though elements of Hansel and Gretel are at the forefront, exploring the world(?) of Druhástrana (which may or may not exist) is more like falling into a meandering tale in the vein of Alice in Wonderland. Just as in a dream, meaning is highly contextual and subject to an everchanging stream of consciousness. Though in true Oyeyemi fashion, she does use Druhástrana to share some thoughts on current events:
”..the need for Druhástrana’s Great Referendum (the one that divorced it from all formal international relations and most informal ones too) had been brought about by a general taking of umbrage against all the foreigners who kept coming in and trying to propagate distracting inequalities, stuff about physical appearance and who people should and should not fancy and places of prayer that were better than others, or notions that the best people don’t pray at all … Druhástranians didn’t need any of that. What Druhástranians wanted was to keep things simple and concentrate on upholding financial inequality.” (102)
I think it’s safe to say that Oyeyemi probably voted “Remain,” but I digress. While much of the plot leaves a great deal up in the air for interpretation, the one thing that stands is that Druhástrana is a place of chaos, which is the best way I could even try to explain this book. This is also Gingerbread's greatest strength.
Overall, I recommend it, though I would recommend her earlier works first.