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Africa Is Not a Country
Africa Is Not a Country: Breaking Stereotypes of Modern Africa | Dipo Faloyin
15 posts | 11 read | 31 to read
Definitive proof that Africa is *not* a country. A lively, entertaining and informative portrait of modern Africa that pushes back against harmful stereotypes. Over a billion people have been reduced to one simple story. Africa Is Not a Country fills in the gaps. So often Africa is depicted simplistically as a red landscape of safaris and famines. In this funny, insightful book Dipo Faloyin corrects this view to create a fresh and positive view of the continent. By turns intimate and political, he looks at buzzy urban life in Lagos and the lively West African rivalry over who makes the best jollof rice, before giving us the story of democracy in ten dictatorships, an insight into different regional accents and the colonial foundation of many countries which are still younger than your grandparents. We learn about the dangers of white saviours and the cultural significance of Aunties, and he provides us with a tour guide of where citizens of several African countries need to travel to visit their own cultural artefacts - 90% of which are in museums outside the continent. We immerse ourselves in the energy and fabric of many different cultures and communities as Dipo shows his deep love of the region - as a concept, as a promise and as a reality.
LibraryThing
review
Davidtk20
Mehso-so

The book is a hodgepodge of various afflictions plaguing the continent. Faloyin narrates eloquently, covering multiple issues simultaneously, which results in a somewhat superficial analysis of the topics discussed.

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Graywacke
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Pickpick

Entertaining and recommended if you want a fun book. It‘s surprisingly fun, also serious, ranting and thoughtful. He covers Africa's tragic colonial history, then the surprising realities of various African countries - the arbitrary borders, tensions from colonial divisions, their youth and variability, and success and failures and new successes. And he has fun ranting on the western perspectives.

BarbaraBB Glad you enjoyed it 11mo
58 likes1 comment
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Graywacke
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Starting a new audiobook

BarbaraBB I learned a lot from this book 12mo
Graywacke @BarbaraBB that‘s what I‘m hoping - to open up some worlds or perspectives… well and I want to enjoy listening. ☺️ 12mo
41 likes2 comments
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nitalibrarian
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I also started a new audiobook today. A non-fiction about Africa.

Bonus picture of Peri.

dabbe Well, hello, Precious Peri! 💜🐾💜 13mo
Leftcoastzen So cute🐶 13mo
33 likes2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

This is an excellent and very sobering book that all white people should read. It shows how, even with hearts in the right place, the approach to Africa is often so, so wrong. I can‘t recommend it enough.

56 likes6 stack adds
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Sophronisba
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7. Africa Is Not a Country: Breaking Stereotypes of Modern Africa, by Dipo Faloyin -- Don't expect a sober recounting of African history: this book is a cri de coeur in the mold of Shashi Tharoor's An Era of Darkness. This eye-opening book will make you sad, angry, and (hopefully) thoughtful about the way Westerners talk about Africa. It will also inflict upon you a great craving for jollof rice.

14 likes1 stack add
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

This overview of current issues and and attitudes towards Africa was very informative. I especially enjoyed the parts about popular culture from my childhood like Band Aid and Coming to America. Thanks @BarbaraBB for putting this on my radar. #ReadingAfrica

Librarybelle I really need to read this one! 1y
BarbaraBB Happy you liked it. And indeed, that part about Band Aid 🤦🏻‍♀️ 1y
54 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Daisey
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Pickpick

This was an important listen, but I did sometimes find my mind wandering a bit and had to refocus. It‘s a book that made me stop and think about things I had never really thought about and also gave me a clearer perspective on some topics. #Nonfiction #audiobook

I am nowhere near finishing #ReadingAfrica2022, so since the author is Nigerian, that‘s where I‘m putting this one on the list. #Nigeria

Librarybelle Woohoo! 1y
BarbaraBB An important read indeed. I loved it but my husband and @Cinfhen found it a bit dry too so I know what you mean! (edited) 1y
Cinfhen #TeamS on this one @BarbaraBB and this one too 😉 1y
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BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Haha who would have thought 🤣 I ‘ll keep you posted about his next read. He‘s often VERY critical but he loved the tagged one. Just saying! 1y
Cinfhen Hmmmmm, interesting 🤨 @BarbaraBB who would have thought?!? 😂🤣🤣 1y
Daisey @BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I absolutely think it‘s important and most of the time I was fully engaged, but there were a few times I wasn‘t. I‘m definitely glad to have seen it here and read it! 1y
Cinfhen Yes, agreed! But I was happy to have read this book, plenty to think about 🤓 1y
Daisey Also, #BookSpin 19 for November! 1y
60 likes1 stack add8 comments
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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

Finally finished this one today - and I must say Dipo Faloyin does exactly what he sets out to do….” breaking stereotypes of modern Africa” 🙌🏻❣️This book contains a lot of information mostly about how often African is pigeonholed into one common idea/place/ culture when it‘s SO much more. This was a bit drier than I expected but the knowledge and insight gained was well worth my time. And towards the very end I got #Mozambique 🙏🏻😁

BarbaraBB Glad it ended up being a pick! And yay for Mozambique! 1y
Librarybelle Awesome! I snagged an ARC of this one, and it‘s currently sitting on my pile of books on my dresser. I‘ll get to it one of these days! 1y
Daisey I‘m currently listening to this one as well, and at this point I think my review is going to be similar. 1y
Cinfhen I‘m glad to hear you feel similarly @Daisey 1y
58 likes5 comments
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Cinfhen
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Still dipping in and out of this audiobook - it‘s a bit slow for me.
It‘s VERY informative and the author really lays down the facts with a good blend of humor, common sense and zero BS. Im just not that engaged - my mind keeps wandering. Also I have a handful of obscure countries left for my challenge and so far Dipo Faloyin hasn‘t mentioned them 😬😞 #ReadingAfrica22

BarbaraBB That‘s true, I was hoping for the more obscure ones too. In the end I used it for Eritrea, which he writes of just shortly. 1y
71 likes1 comment
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Sophronisba
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Another reason to be mad at the British Museum:

“the simplest of painful realities endures: 90 per cent of Africa's cultural legacy was shipped out of the continent during the colonial era for the same reason that it is currently being kept on display. The objects are magnificent and of exceptional value, and their presence in any country makes that country richer.“

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Cinfhen
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After a stellar review from @BarbaraBB I‘m continuing my #ReadingAfrica22 journey. Let‘s see which countries I‘ll visit 😀

BarbaraBB I hope you‘ll love it! I learned so much, laughed and cried! 2y
72 likes1 stack add1 comment
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jenniferw88
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After @BarbaraBB 's excellent review, I couldn't resist this for 99p! #ukdeal #kindledeal

BarbaraBB Such a coincidence! I hope you‘ll enjoy it as much as I did and I am fairly sure you will! 2y
49 likes1 comment
review
BarbaraBB
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Pickpick

Faloyin wants to break stereotypes of modern Africa in this book and wow, he does. I felt ashamed reading certain parts. For the colonial past in which my country participated actively, for never really listening to the lyrics of Band Aid, for museums with collections based on stolen works, etc. Like @thereflectiveflaneur says in his review, this book should be required reading for everyone.

Tagging my #ReadingAfrica2022 pals 🇪🇷

Cinfhen Sounds powerful! #stacked 2y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen And very readable and funny too, it‘s so well written! 2y
Andrew65 Thanks for the tag, will search this one out. 2y
See All 29 Comments
Bookwormjillk Thanks, I'm going to look for this! 2y
Cinfhen Which countries does it cover? 2y
Cinfhen lmk if you still need a copy of Lucy By the Sea! Im happy to get it for you when I‘m in the states 2y
Itchyfeetreader Thanks for the tag - I have failed this challenge badly this year but still will@persevere over next as well! 2y
Texreader Thanks for the tag!! 2y
Hooked_on_books Sounds interesting! I think this one came out pretty recently and I thought it might be too similar to one I‘ve already read, but now I may need to revisit that decision. 2y
Ruthiella I want to rewrite the lyrics to “Do They Know it‘s Christmas” every time I hear it. 2y
Sophronisba Ooh, my library hold on this one just came in. 2y
KristiAhlers Oh wow. Thanks for sharing. I‘m totally going to look for this one 2y
Librarybelle I snagged an arc from the publisher but have not had a chance to read it…I need to move this up my tbr list! 2y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen many are mentioned but it really counts for all of them. 2y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen That is so kind! You have so much on your mind, please take care of yourself and your family. I will get a copy of Lucy soon, I‘m sure ❤️😘 2y
BarbaraBB @Itchyfeetreader it certainly is no failure! 2y
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books It was published quite recently indeed. I really think you‘d like it though I don‘t know if it will be similar to the one you are referring to 2y
BarbaraBB @Ruthiella I was so young back then and never paid much attention but they are exactly what the author means by stereotyping. And completely beside the truth 🤦🏻‍♀️ 2y
Vansa Really want to read this book! Lovely review 2y
DisneyFan Oh, I‘ll add this to my list. Thanks for sharing. 2y
Cinfhen Don‘t order it Barbara- it‘ll be an early bday present 😘 2y
thereflectiveflaneur @BarbaraBB I am soooo glad you loved this text!!!! If you like this one I wonder if you have read Arundhati Roy‘s ‘My seditious heart”? That collection of her non fiction essays is life changing!!! Truly the literature (non fiction) equivalent of drop the mic! 2y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Thank you dear Cindy, I won‘t ❤️. Thinking of you and your family 😘 2y
BarbaraBB @Vansa @DisneyFan I hope you‘ll love it when you get to it 🤍 2y
BarbaraBB @thereflectiveflaneur I will definitely check that out, I loved her ages ago when she wrote 2y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I hope it is not too late but my sister bought me a copy 🤞🏽🤞🏽 Just got it. ❤️ 2y
Velvetfur Thank you for the tag, that book sounds so good! I'll definitely check it out one day 😂 2y
DivineDiana Thank you for tagging me. Stacked! 2y
YasmiNova Great review, definitely sounds like a must read - stacking! 2y
71 likes17 stack adds29 comments
review
thereflectiveflaneur
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Pickpick

This book should be REQUIRED READING for absolutely every person!!! Astounding work!!! The audio book is simply brilliant and beautifully captured and read. So many WOW moments in this work! I thought I knew quite a bit but this remarkable book has taught me otherwise! Drop what ever you are doing and read/listen to this text!

BarbaraBB Sounds fantastic and a great addition to my #ReadingAfrica2022 books 2y
thereflectiveflaneur Let me know BarbraBB what you think of the text! 2y
3 likes2 comments