AT NIGHT ALL BLOOD IS BLACK

A great piece of literature. It reaches the depth of human relationships. Kudos to the writer. And it has different style of story telling.

…this book doesn’t have a beginning. It starts with an ellipsis and God's truth, reading this book feels like intrusion. It’s like coming upon a mind with the ability to voice it’s ramblings; a mind that is hurtling towards madness and one can do nothing but be the speculator of this spectacularly hypnotic narration. In this short and slim book, Diop tells the story of Alfa Ndiaye, a Senegalese soldier fighting in the Great War and how after losing his more-than-brother Mademaba, he embarks on a journey to avenge the death of his friend. It’s brutal and explicit in its depiction of war and death.It is the kind of a book that one could easily finish in a day, if they are strong enough to digest the gruesome and detailed descriptions of torn bellies and unrelenting cycle of violence. It took me more than two days to tick this off and more than a week to get my thoughts into something that is cohesive and not just a few adjectives. The narrative which is like reading the transcription of someone’s mind, is extremely repetitive and at the same time refreshing. It’s almost like listening to a poetry performance, one could feel the cadence throughout.My favorite sections were the flashbacks of Ndiaye’s village and the life he used to have before the commencement of the war. In a sense, it was my personal respite from all the perpetual violence that fills a larger section of this book. One thing that I found a little bothersome and quite annoying is the constant comparison of war with women. It’s quite lazy and has been done a lot and not to mention sexist. Still highly recommend it.

No words just very good

If you think you should read this book because it is crowned with the Booker Prize, then you might get disappointed. Although it depicts the harsh reality of the war so nicely, the whole story only revolves around a few events concerned with Alfa Ndiaye and his more-than-brother Mademba Diop. The story is not well-diversified, you won't get much out of it. It's like, you are hungry, but you get only a little on the plate to feed yourself, leaving you hungry.I understand, I can think what I want. I found some repeated terms and phrases, which have been used so frequently, felt irritating to me. Although the translator has done a really great job.

It was perfect, really enjoyed!

The story in itself is simple yet dives into one's mental state. I didn't actually enjoy the writing but the concept in itself was nice. The product too was genuine.

compels to read through and gripped me so much, I became unmindful of the full stops and page-turns. ended too fast and abruptly, probably for me. read a few reviews, which were all besides the point, including the blurbs on the book. Translation is extraordinary, it’s as if written in English but without losing the flavour of the original tongue.

Not only is this story interesting, it’s character mind description is ever lasting. This book grows and lives with you. And it’s so simple, yet so complex. Is it a story or a metaphor, can’t say. Looks real, but difficult to believe. Yet, it’s the story told from the deepest recesses of a youthful mind. Must read.

Alia, a ‘Chocolat’ soldier in the French army (WWI), symbolizes the broad and narrow desecrations of war: land, humans…and the human spirit, or soul. Alia cannot submit to the entreaties for a quick death by his grievously wounded friend, Mademba, who dies in agony. He then converts his sorrow and guilt into self-loathing and seeks revenge for Mademba’s cruel death by stealing across enemy lines at night (when “all blood is black”) and exacting retribution by killing a German soldier. One hand of each victim is severed as a trophy/symbol of his vengeance, penance…and deepening madness. Initially, Alia is seen as heroic by his mates; then, in fear, as a “demm” (sorcerer), a devourer of souls. Our current sterile term is PTSD. This is a harrowing tale of how the battlefields of war devour souls.

Insanely captivating brilliant narrative from main character Alfa. His voice transfixed and completely locked me in. I read 75% of this novel when I first picked it up and forced myself to put it down. David Diop 's story flows. It tells how Alfa's tormented mind started during his youth recollection of seeing his mom leave to find her father and siblings. That part of his youth influenced his growth and independence driving him to move in with his more than best friend, Diop and his family. Fast forward, Alfa catapulted into accepting his war torn battlefield and realm he fit into being disturbed emotionally and psychologically as a functioning soldier of war.Losing his more than best friend right in front of him on the battlefield pushed him completely out of the realm of physical war. Hell bent into raw emotional , psychological and spiritual combat with the enemy, he avenged his more than best friend's death, with episodes of hearing voices, out of body experiences, hallucinations, that were clearer signs of his deteriorating mental state. I  wasn't surprised but had to reread chapters 21 to 24 because Alfa's double mindedness then, suicide(ation)almost didn't seem accomplished in the end. This reader understands,  Alfa"reasoned" his life is in  his own hands to appease himself. He probably says/thinks who should he have to beg?  Very Well Written! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾🤗❤

Highly recommended short reading. Beautifully written, untold story. Very insightful nook about mental health and personal struggle. African settingvwss lovely.

Along with 'Xala' and "So Long a letter', At Night joins Senegalese and modern classics. The powerhouse of African writing is truly exemplified in Diop's novel. War compounds all emotion. Diop conveys the horror, terror, mendacity and barbarism of war in a lyrical manner with a compelling multi faceted protagonist. detailing his home life, his best friend, his first love, village life, his mother and his family, his comrades etc all add a colourful tapestry to the forays in no man's land.Wonderful written, I loved the imagery, the disconnect from his world and the changes that happen because of the war. Mostly l really enjoyed the repetition of words that act almost like the chorus of a Greek tragedy that highlight the repetitiveness of war, reinforce images and help desensitise the reader from the barbarity of war.The book was also perfectly balanced in that the story feels truly complete and the reader truly satisfied.I highly recommend and I will look out for more Diop.

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