“Alentejo Blue”
by Monica Ali
Published: June 2007
ISBN: 0743293045

(Updated: July 20, 2007.)

From the Publisher…

Set in a small Portuguese village, Alentejo Blue is a story of displacement and modernization told through the lives of the locals and of people who are just passing through. The residents of Mamarrosa whose ancestors occupy the graveyards are restless and struggle to make a living. They watch as tourists and expats move in.

Monica Ali’s characters are profoundly sympathetic. Her understanding of their dreams, desires, and disappointments is rare and moving. Alentejo Blue is evidence that Monica Ali is one of the most gifted voices of her generation.

As much as I liked reading Brick Lane, as much I disliked reading this book. And, oddly enough, it is written in the same style.

Where I so loved the characters of Brick Lane, here I could never manage to keep them straight, let alone enjoy them. Every time I began to get to know someone, the story switched. And it would take a few pages for me to realize that this wasn’t a new character but the continued story of one I had already “met”. By the time I almost remembered, the story switched yet again.

And where I had a sense of place in Brick Lane, here I could never get beyond simply feeling gloomy and sticky.

I’m not sure what the difference is. This book has a lot of “foreigners” in it and that is what I felt like. A visitor trying oh so very hard to get a feeling for the place and its people. I never quite managed it.

All of that written, I am giving this book a two out of five hearts. I suppose the two (rather than a one) comes from the sense I have that there really was something behind this book, something essential that was really wanting to come out. I’m just sorry that it never did.