How do you turnoff the impulse to want to kill? I mean, that’s what I have been trained to do. That’s what I know how to do; I did it well. How do you switch it off?
Nonso
Synopsis
Rose and the Burma Sky is a story about Love and War. Obi has an unspoken love for Rose, and when he finally voices out his feeling, he is cruelly stripped of the opportunity to enjoy it to the fullest.
Love is defined and experienced differently by everyone; the love Obi has for Rose is a rare one. Initially, I thought he was being silly, but his patience and courage are extremely rare.
Themes
I loved the theme of friendship. Despite being from different backgrounds, Obi and his friends maintained the bond they once shared as kids.
Another theme I enjoyed the most is the mental health awareness around soldiers who survive a war. Are they ever really the same after surviving such events? Is there any post-war program set out to help our heroes find their places in society?
These questions will pop into your mind once you read this beauty.
Thoughts
This is a story about our men who were shipped out to fight a war that didn’t have our name tagged to it.
Are you are looking for a book set during World War II, this book is for you. It started off as an easy read for me until it got to the point I cried for a Nigeria I have not and will never experience.
If you aren’t ready to digest the horrible truth about World War II’s aftermath, I suggest you keep this aside until you are mentally prepared. This isn’t a book that should be ignored by any Nigerian. Scratch that; no African should overlook it.
Did I enjoy the writing technique? Yes! Yes! and Yes! I usually struggle with reading books about war because it is sometimes too hard to digest, but I weirdly found it hard to drop this book. At some point, it felt like I was in the forest with Obi and all the other African soldiers. I felt the pain when their colonial masters neglected them, and every emotion poured into this book.
If you are looking for a book centered on war and how it affects a community, Rose and the Burma Sky book is for you.
