Wonderful book I was drawn right in fascinated by the setting of Rawanda.The characters came alive kept my interest even had me laughing.An author I will be following.# netgalley #gallerybooks

There was so much I liked about this book. The exploration of the main character’s experience of life as the child of Rwandan refugees in Namibia was fascinating. I loved the look into South Africa’s law school culture. I didn’t like the exploration of the main character, Seraphin, through his hookups with various women.

That said, this was a powerful book and a page turner. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend.

I had a tough time with <i>The Eternal Audience of One</i>. The writing is smart and funny, but the nonlinear storytelling and character shifts perplexed me. This was a book I wanted to read and wanted to like; I wanted to learn a little more about a part of Africa and its culture that I never had before. Unfortunately, despite its (many) bright spots, I couldn't manage to attach to the plot. (There are really quite a lot of funny lines and situations.) I would not recommend.

Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a look into the life of a young Rwandan man attending university in South Africa as he navigates trying to find his path while also looking back into his youth. For me it confirmed how alike we are no matter our backgrounds or cultural differences. It could be a story from anywhere. It deals with love, friendships, insecurity, prejudices, parental experiences and their expectations vs what we want for ourselves.

I chose this book because it was written by a person of color in Africa. I was interested in learning more about life and culture in Africa. I enjoyed those parts of this book but did not enjoy the emphasis on sex.

Coming-of-age story set primarily in Namibia in the 1990s. Protagonist Séraphin and his family are living in Windhoek, after fleeing Rwanda in the wake of the genocide. The storyline follows Séraphin as he bickers with his brothers, attends school, makes friends, develops relationships, and tries to figure out what to do with his life. Séraphin experiences pressure from his family to become a lawyer after graduation – something he is not sure he wants to do.

It is an atypical migration chronicle. It examines the sad truth that migrants are not always welcomed no matter where in the world we find them. Though the novel contains humor, I would not call it funny. It examines serious topics, particularly racial issues in southern Africa soon after the apartheid laws were repealed.

The story itself is oriented toward a small group of college friends (the term “squad” comes to mind), who, tongue in cheek, name themselves the “High Lords of Empireland.” It contains strings of their text messages, which are bold and sarcastic. The characters come across as real people.

The “audience of one” appears to be Séraphin himself. Whenever a decision presents, he debates with himself through a chorus of voices. He is not actually hearing voices – these are just various versions of his conscience. He deals with common youthful challenges, such as insecurities, identity, and independence. Séra’s response is to develop a “persona” – he is the DJ with the cool playlists, the aloof “player” with many conquests, but the reader also sees his vulnerability and the way he is hurt when he gets close to a few romantic partners.

I very much enjoyed the author’s writing style – it is clever and expressive. He is quite the wordsmith. This is a debut by an obviously talented author.

A humorous insight into the life of a young man who tries to make the best of his circumstances as a Rwandan growing up in Namibia and then moving to Cape Town. The characterization of the events in his life is unique and entertaining. I liked that it incorporated his parents’ experiences because it added more dimension to the story.

3.5 stars for this debut novel from an author with an amazing voice! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in an ARC ebook. It's hard for me to rate this one. I absolutely loved this author's voice, and enjoyed getting to know his main characters, especially Seraphin, a young Rawandan man whose family had fled to Namibia, and who was enrolled in university in Cape Town, South Africa, studying law. The novel takes place over the course of Seraphin's last year of law school, as he struggles with decisions about his future while attempting to wrest the maximum pleasure from his final year as a (relatively) care-free student. I did find the story less than compelling at times, hence the lowered rating; perhaps that's a reflection of my age and the distance from my own student days. Glimpses of his family's past -- his parents' families were sufficiently well off that they had both traveled to Europe for their own studies -- and of the casual racism Seraphin and other experienced were enlightening, and contrasted with so many stories I've read of impoverished African refugees. I will definitely look forward to more from this author, as I believe he has a gift for writing that bodes well for future publications.

I received a free e-ARC copy through Netgalley.
This story is written from the perspective of a young black man in South Africa coming of age in high school and college and coping with peers, exams, and his family's expectations while also dealing with the class and prejudices of the area. I don't think I'm the intended age audience as it reads more YA or college age. It also gives some background into his parents' lives before children and the experience of learning your parents are people too.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this ARC!

I really enjoyed this book, it was lyrical and humorous, which I wasn't expecting. I found that I liked the characters and was really pulled into their story. It is a deep look into diversity and how we overcome life's challenges.

I can see this being a big hit later this year!

This beautifully written work follows the movement of Seraphin - a Rwandan refugee, a university student, the friend with all the best stories, and moves with the ladies.

Following his physical movement from his ancestral home in Rwanda, his family home in Namibia, and his time at school in South Africa, readers watch Seraphin experience the casual racism and biases around every turn as his identities as a Black man and refugee conflict with the larger systems of power. Taking place over the course of one year in Seraphin's life, with insightful flashbacks to earlier if not better days for both Seraphin and his closest friends and and family, readers slowly learn more about the inner workings not just of the politics of place but of the character, himself.

This debut novel is beautifully written, captivating readers with difficult truths and hilarious anecdotes

I loved this book. It was funny and smart. Rwanda scenes felt so real. I’m going to look out for this author. This work in particular makes me want to explore unique coming of age stories, which i rarely do.

This is a coming of age story of Seraphin Turihamwe. What is amazing about the book is not so much the story line as the language. For example, the first sentence in the prologue is “Windhoek has three temperatures: hot, mosquito, and fucking cold.” Windhoek is further described like this-- “ When it is going at full tilt, Windhoek does so at a slow hum.” The book is infused with sentences like that—humorous, descriptive and unusual pairing of words. And thus we can almost feel Seraphin’s home town.

The story moves between these three settings and is a story of youth and parental control, young adulthood and “finding” one’s way, and early adulthood and exploration of the self. Three cities and corresponding life transitions. The story starts in the middle and moves forward with reflections of the past. We move with this family, from survival, to aspiration and hope and to “togetherness.” Additional depth is added through music “playlists” that reflect the setting and the mood of Seraphin.

An inspiring and superbly written first novel that addresses topic of racial discrimination, friendship, love and families. I look forward to future work of this author.

The Eternal Audience of One by Remy Ngamije is a wonderful feast for the passionate and hungry reader. I found myself mesmerized and at times completely engulfed into another world...and before I knew it, I had devoured every crumb.

I really enjoyed this story of Seraphin whom is in school in South Africa, and the reader is placed at a pivotal moment. As a Rwandan-born transplant, he has one half in the past, and one half on the edge of something on the horizon. As he navigates his existence, the reality of society with all its glories and smudges, the question of what is to come next is contemplated during his last year of University.

At times heavy...at times witty, humorous, and other times challenging...I thoroughly enjoyed this journey.

This is a book to savor and to enjoy again and again.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Gallery/Scout Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

I didn't expect this to be as good as it was. It includes humor, and cause for thought and discussion, and well crafted characters. I hope is sells well since it's so well written.

Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!

I was given the opportunity to read and review this book through Net Galley and I am so glad! The story sucked you in and you'll find yourself thinking about the characters long after you finish the book. Can't wait to read more by this author!!