Behold The Dreamers: An Oprah's Book Club Pick

“Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club)” is an extraordinary novel that explores the highs and lows of the American Dream. Written with extraordinary insight and empathy, it is a heartbreaking story of an immigrant family’s struggle to find their footing in a new country. The narrative follows Jende Jonga, a Cameroonian immigrant, and his wife Neni as they arrive in New York City with dreams of a better future for themselves and their son. With raw emotion and vivid details, Imbolo Mbue paints a powerful portrait of the immigrant experience in America today.

The novel is filled with moments of joy, love, and hope, but also ones of sorrow and despair. Mbue skilfully shows how the economic downturn affects her characters’ lives, as well as how different people navigate systems of power and privilege. She creates a nuanced picture of race and class in America that highlights both the beauty and injustice of our society. Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club) is a must-read for anyone looking to gain insight into what it means to be an immigrant in America today.

In terms of writing style, Mbue has crafted an incredibly engaging read that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. Her use of language is lyrical yet direct; her characters are complex yet relatable; her themes are timely and relevant. This book will make you laugh, cry, reflect deeply on life’s choices, and consider what it truly means to pursue “the American dream”. It is no wonder why this book was chosen by Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club!

Table of Contents

Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club) Review

Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club) is an inspiring and unforgettable novel by Imbolo Mbue, with vivid characters, a breathtaking story and remarkable insight. This powerful debut tells the story of a Cameroonian couple who arrive in New York City with big dreams, only to be faced with a reality far different from what they had imagined. The story follows their journey as they struggle to adapt, make ends meet and build a better life for themselves and their son.

Key Features:
1. Vibrant Characters: Follow Jende Jonga and his wife Neni as they navigate the vibrant streets of New York City in pursuit of the American dream.
2. Breathtaking Story: Imbolo Mbue captures the essence of New York City in this thrilling tale of family, love, hardship and hope.
3. Remarkable Insight: Get an honest look at the immigrant experience in America, and delve into issues of social class and race through this captivating narrative.
4. Oprah’s Book Club Selection: Behold the Dreamers has been selected as part of Oprah’s highly acclaimed book club series, further cementing its status as an essential read for anyone who loves great literature.

Product Details

Product Name	Author	Publisher
Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club)	Imbolo Mbue	Random House LLC
Format	Pages	Release Date
Hardcover	416 pages	August 23, 2016
ISBN-10	ISBN-13	Language
0525509712	978-0525509715	English
Dimensions : 6.3 x 1.2 x 9.3 inches

Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club) Pros and Cons

1. Professional Content:
Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club) is an engrossing story of two immigrant families set in New York City during the late 2000s. The novel follows the lives of Jende and Neni Jonga, immigrants from Cameroon, who are struggling to make a living in a new country. It also examines the relationship between their employers, the Edwards family, and how they are affected by the economic downturn of 2008. This book provides an insightful look into immigration and its effects on those who choose to pursue it.

Pros:

The narrative is engaging and well-paced.

It offers a thoughtful examination of immigration and its effects.

Provides an insight into the financial crisis of 2008.

Cons:

The characters’ motivations can be difficult to understand at times.

Some readers may find parts of the book depressing or depressing.

2. Funny Content:
If you’re looking for a thrilling, gripping, and (sometimes) hilarious read, then Behold the Dreamers(Oprah’s Book Club) is your perfect pick! Follow Jende & Neni Jonga as they navigate life in New York City as immigrants from Cameroon – with plenty of drama, heartache, and laughter along the way! With thought-provoking examinations of immigration policies and a poignant exploration of the 2008 financial crisis, this novel is sure to keep you on your toes. Whether you’re looking for a thrilling adventure or just want to laugh until your sides hurt, this book has something for everyone!

Who are They for

Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club) is a stunning and powerful novel that will take you on an unforgettable journey. Immigrant Jende Jonga, his wife Neni, and their six-year-old son arrive in New York City from Cameroon in search of a better life. When Jende lands a job as a chauffeur for a Wall Street executive, he and Neni are able to make ends meet and begin to gain traction in America. But when the Great Recession hits, Jende’s job is put at risk, exposing the fragility of his family’s newfound security.

In Behold the Dreamers, Imbolo Mbue paints an intimate portrait of lives that could have been our own: people who dream big and must grapple with hard choices. With compassion and insight, this novel reveals what it means to be an immigrant chasing the American dream—and the heartbreaking cost of chasing it too far. Behold the Dreamers will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

My Experience for Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club)

I’m sure everyone has heard about Oprah’s book club, but until recently I had never actually read a book from it. That all changed when I picked up Behold the Dreamers. From the moment I started reading this powerful story of an immigrant family making their way in New York City, I was hooked!

The characters in Behold the Dreamers are incredibly real and easy to relate to. Jende and Neni Jonga come to America with hopes of achieving the American dream, but they soon find out that it isn’t as easy as it sounds. They must deal with obstacles like poverty, racism, and bureaucracy while still clinging to what matters most—their family and each other.

What really sets Behold the Dreamers apart is its thought-provoking commentary on immigration and the power of resilience. It’s a story of hope and determination in the face of adversity, and one that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. Highly recommended!

What I don’t Like

1. Lengthy: Behold the Dreamers is a lengthy book, containing 544 pages.
2. Heavy-Handed Social Commentary: Some readers may find the social commentary in the book to be didactic and overly heavy-handed.
3. Racism: The book deals with issues of racism and immigration, which may be difficult for some readers to process.
4. Depressing Tone: The tone of the book can be quite depressing at times, as it deals with difficult topics such as poverty and inequality.
5. Unlikable Characters: Some readers may find it difficult to relate to or sympathize with certain characters in the book.

How to Cultivate Empathy and Compassion with Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club)

Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club) is an inspiring novel that follows two immigrant families as they navigate their pursuit of the American dream in New York City. This emotionally-charged story offers valuable lessons on what it means to be an outsider and how we can cultivate empathy and compassion for others who are different from us.

The first step in cultivating empathy is to investigate our own biases and preconceived notions. This book encourages readers to think critically about their perspectives on life, race, class, gender, and other social issues. It presents characters with different backgrounds – immigrants, refugees, and citizens – that challenge our views and make us question our assumptions.

The second step is to engage with stories of people different from ourselves. As we read Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club), we are exposed to a variety of perspectives that can expand our understanding of unfamiliar cultures and experiences. By engaging with these stories, we can gain insight into the hopes and dreams of people from around the world.

Finally, the third step is to open up a dialogue about our shared humanity. Behold the Dreamers provides a platform for meaningful conversations about identity and belonging. Through this book, readers can learn how to create safe spaces where everyone feels seen and heard – regardless of their background or beliefs.

By learning how to cultivate empathy through Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club), we can become more accepting of diversity, more understanding of others’ struggles, and more compassionate towards those who are different from us.

Questions about Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club)

What is Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club)?

Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club) is a novel by Imbolo Mbue. It tells the story of a Cameroonian immigrant in New York City who must grapple with the financial crisis of 2008 and its impact on his family and his American dream. The book was selected for Oprah’s Book Club in 2016 and won the 2017 PEN/Faulkner Award.

What are some themes explored in Behold the Dreamers?

Behold the Dreamers explores themes of identity, immigration, class struggle, economic inequality, racism, and hope. It also reflects on how our choices can impact our lives and shape us as individuals.

Who should read Behold the Dreamers?

Behold the Dreamers is perfect for anyone who enjoys exploring immigration stories, examining difficult topics through literature, or reading novels with strong characters and thoughtful plotlines. It can also serve as an excellent starting point for conversations about current events and their implications.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.