Official Review: From Kamit to the Stars by Clavaire Elanga

[Chelsey Coles]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "From Kamit to the Stars" by Clavaire Elanga.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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From Kamit to the Stars is a novel by Clavaire Elanga. Kamit is a fictional setting created using ancient Egyptian vocabulary, from the root word Kem, meaning “black”. Kamit or Kemet refers to the collective civilization of peoples rather than the land itself. This is where the main character, Rohman, calls his home. Though there is no specific location, Kamit closely resembles Kongo culture in a broad sense because of the many territories in that region. For reference, think of modern-day Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, etc. The most important things for the people in Kamit: prosperity, education, family, and achievement.

Rohman is a 32-year-old bachelor. He works at the Department of Justice as a clerk. He is also the oldest male heir in his necessitous, hard-working family. They rely on him for stability, money, and… marriage! But that is the one thing that makes them disagree. In their culture, marriage is not just between two people, but two families joining where everyone is a piece of the puzzle. Rohman’s mother has the perfect woman for her son, but she seems to be the last thing he wants. Rohman refuses to marry her since he claims she just isn’t his type. His best friend Sando tells him:

There’s always something wrong with all the girls you meet: one is not classy enough, the other has no personality, and on and on it goes… (location 259)

That brings me to the best aspect of this book: Rohman’s dating life! His friend knew him well because we get to see how many women Rohman meets, and his unique conceptions about them. You will find that it is easier than you think to get married… but to who? It is wildly entertaining to read about every date, kiss, and argument these couples weather. I must warn readers about sex scenes and references to promiscuity that can be vulgar. There are also various opinions about men, women, and gender roles that some may find offensive. I would advise other readers to take each opinion with a grain of salt and keep sight of the bigger picture.

Though it has an exciting, multi-layered plot, my rating is 2 out of 4 stars. I took off one star because I don’t think this book was professionally edited. There are a plethora of errors including punctuation, grammar, and spelling. After about twenty errors I lost count. I also removed another star because the organization makes it less readable. There are only five chapters in its 273 pages. But the dialogue between characters can last for ten pages and more! The paragraphs are long as well, creating a drag in the pace.

Not only is the dialogue humdrum, but it is packed with too much information. I promise that almost every topic under the sun is mentioned: politics, gender equality/inequality, racism, industrialism, fascism, Trump, third-world vs. first-world countries, and the list goes on. I know these ideals prove the author is intelligent and well-read, but it makes it impossible to reflect on all of this information at once!

Despite my rating and the errors, this book is like a diamond in the rough. It has great potential and just needs pruning. I want all philosophers, politicians, educators, and the like to read this book because your opinion is much-needed here. If you enjoy a hearty, deep debate about the human condition, pick this up. It is also only suitable for mature audiences. Though I felt overwhelmed by all of the social issues addressed, they are happening right now or have happened before, all over the world. Elanga is truly on to something special with From Kamit to the Stars. Perhaps it is before its time, but it has much for us to ponder.

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From Kamit to the Stars
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[AvidBibliophile]

That’s definitely a lot of dialogue, and a ton of topics covered, but the dating conundrums sound entertaining! Combining families is sometimes like fitting together a puzzle that’s been through a choppy blender. Thanks for sharing your honest impressions and insights!

[Chelsey Coles]

That’s definitely a lot of dialogue, and a ton of topics covered, but the dating conundrums sound entertaining! Combining families is sometimes like fitting together a puzzle that’s been through a choppy blender. Thanks for sharing your honest impressions and insights!

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