The Hired Man (2013) is a novel by Scottish-Sierra Leonean writer Aminatta Forna about an Englishwoman, Laura, and her two children who renovate a farmhouse in Croatia with the help of local handyman, Duro. Through their interaction, she reveals and explores local history, including effects of the Yugoslav Wars.
 First edition | |
| Author | Aminatta Forna |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fiction |
| Published | 2013 |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury |
| Publication place | Scotland |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 304 |
| ISBN | 9781408817667 |
| OCLC | 837498131 |
| Preceded by | The Memory of Love |
| Followed by | Happiness |
Reception
editThe Guardian's review noted: "The novel is a continuation of Forna's overriding theme; the gradual accretion of small, seemingly insignificant acts of betrayal that eventually find expression in full-scale horror. In that respect, she remains committed to a single story; though The Hired Man triumphantly proves that the story need not always remain the same."[1]
The Independent's reviewer wrote: "The pacing of this novel is stunning. After an edgy beginning, it blooms into joyousness halfway through when the mosaic is restored, and then the cruelty begins to flow."[2]
The Boston Globe described it as "fiercely mournful", concluding: "Not since 'Remains of the Day' has an author so skillfully revealed the way history's layers are often invisible to all but its participants, who do what they must to survive. Skills acquired in war do, in fact, translate well to subsistence living. In this gorgeous novel, Aminatta Forna shows what doesn't translate, however, and what makes war's aftermath so long, melancholy, and deadly."[3]
The Hired Man has also been reviewed by The Scotsman,[4] The New Zealand Herald,[5] the San Francisco Chronicle,[6] the Star Tribune,[7] The Vienna Review,[8] and The Hindu.[9]
References
edit- ^ Hickling, Alfred (27 March 2013). "Fiction: The Hired Man by Aminatta Forna - review". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ Lo Dico, Joy (7 April 2013). "Culture: Books: Reviews - The Hired Man, by Aminatta Forna". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-06-18. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ Freeman, John (8 November 2013). "'The Hired Man' by Aminatta Forna". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ McGill, Hannah (27 March 2013). "Book review: The Hired Man - Aminatta Forna". The Scotsman. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
a sharp, pertinent, absorbing story told by a writer of extreme gifts
- ^ Hill, David (14 December 2013). "Book review: The Hired Man". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
Forna's narrative is notable for its subdued, meticulous renderings of domestic settings and rhythms, which make the sense of imminent menace and the eventual atrocities even more shocking.
- ^ Domestico, Anthony (6 December 2013). "'The Hired Man,' by Aminatta Forna". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
Forna's new novel, 'The Hired Man,' is lean in style and plot. The nightmare of history is quieter: It lurks and skulks, rarely expressing itself directly.
- ^ Forbes, Michael (12 November 2013). "Review: 'The Hired Man,' by Aminatta Forna". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
This is a stunning novel, beautifully executed and cleverly crafted.
- ^ Tajder, Ana (30 January 2014). "A Portrait of Life After War". The Vienna Review. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
Too many people have killed and been killed on false assumptions and what is left is wonderfully described: a suffocating cage of witnessed horrors, lingering spirits unable to move on.
- ^ Walia, Shelley (5 October 2013). "Reviews: A mosaic resurrected". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
Forna avoids elaborating on ethnic cleansing but skilfully brings out the simmering tensions and the moral guilt of those who remain silent on their involvement.