Gabriel is a privileged boy living and growing up in Bujumbura (Burundi). He is the son of a French man and a Rwandan woman (living in exile in Burundi). Gaël Faye leads the reader through his childhood, reminiscing the adventures of his friends and him. Telling us about his childhood fears and hopes. And then - genocide and war and an abrupt flight from Burundi to France.

It's a somewhat light&joyful and at the same time extremely heavy and inspiring novel, written beautifully.

The mango emoji is because the fruit is mentioned again and again. It's a crucial symbol and accompanies Gabriel through his childhood and is one of the things he misses most as an adult living in France.

Enjoyment 4/5 stars: I chose to read it in French which isn't my mother tongue (but my father's). Was a challenge for me, so I wasn't able to always read the book fluently, for example after a long day.