Djibouti A Novel

Geschreven bij Djibouti

Have read at least half of his books. Found this novel lacking the flow and ease of EL's usual writing and struggled more than ever with the slang in the dialogues. The opening chapters are OK. The objective is to shoot a documentary about Somali pirates. One learns about the prime movers, white Dara (36) and black Xavier (72), her fixer and cameraman, both from New Orleans. Dara is famous: three docs, three major prizes. This one has to become a hit too.
Chapter 5 marks a turning point, when >3 weeks later they are back in a luxury hotel in Djibouti and argue about the 12 hours of material they shot. Some 60-80 confusing, tedious, jarring pages follow full of flashbacks and flash forwards about how to turn what they have into a doc. This part truly discourages further reading. But persistent readers are treated to a mongrel of a book full of strengths and weaknesses about (1) an al-Qaida plot to explode a huge LNG-tanker in a Louisiana port, or in Djibouti itself; (2) a well-connected Texas billionaire testing his model girlfriend, following the tanker in their yacht; (3) Afro-American al-Qaida warrior James Russell, a.k.a. Jama Raisuli, cornered in Somalia and Djibouti. Etc., etc., because EL is a master of subplots.

What kept me alert and reading was what was brewing between Dara and slim, old, 6/6 tall Xavier, who stakes his fee + expenses on the outcome of a bet with Dara about his virility... The novel improves beyond the halfway point, but loses credibility with EL naming Somalis 'Kwame' (a purely Ghanaian first name) or when the Djibouti Chief of Police starts to talk slang like Xavier. For diehard fans only.

Geschreven bij Djibouti

Have read at least half of his books. Found this novel lacking the flow and ease of EL's usual writing and struggled more than ever with the slang in the dialogues. The opening chapters are OK. The objective is to shoot a documentary about Somali pirates. One learns about the prime movers, white Dara (36) and black Xavier (72), her fixer and cameraman, both from New Orleans. Dara is famous: three docs, three major prizes. This one has to become a hit too.
Chapter 5 marks a turning point, when >3 weeks later they are back in a luxury hotel in Djibouti and argue about the 12 hours of material they shot. Some 60-80 confusing, tedious, jarring pages follow full of flashbacks and flash forwards about how to turn what they have into a doc. This part truly discourages further reading. But persistent readers are treated to a mongrel of a book full of strengths and weaknesses about (1) an al-Qaida plot to explode a huge LNG-tanker in a Louisiana port, or in Djibouti itself; (2) a well-connected Texas billionaire testing his model girlfriend, following the tanker in their yacht; (3) Afro-American al-Qaida warrior James Russell, a.k.a. Jama Raisuli, cornered in Somalia and Djibouti. Etc., etc., because EL is a master of subplots.

What kept me alert and reading was what was brewing between Dara and slim, old, 6/6 tall Xavier, who stakes his fee + expenses on the outcome of a bet with Dara about his virility... The novel improves beyond the halfway point, but loses credibility with EL naming Somalis 'Kwame' (a purely Ghanaian first name) or when the Djibouti Chief of Police starts to talk slang like Xavier. For diehard fans only.