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wordsofclover's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A very sweet retelling of Little Women from the perspective of an American-Pakistani family living in Georgia in modern day - we follow Jameela as she has to deal with some changes in ehr life including her father's long distance job, and a new kid called Ali. She also needs to deal with everything that comes with having 3 sisters - Maryam, Aleeza and Bisma, while vying to become the next editor-in-chief of her school newspaper.
This was just a lovely book that I definitely enjoyed for the short time it took to read it. The Little Women elements were done well, and I feel like some characters more than others were brilliantly crafted to be very much like their LW counterparts - Aleeza most of all, she was very Amy without being petty or mean. Just a slightly spoiled little girl who still loves her family.
I loved the family moments in this book, from the various conversations Jam had with her Baba and how close they were, to how they looked after Bisma when she got ill. I also really appreciated the look of extended family and family friends who were like aunts and uncle flocking to help the family when they needed them - it was honestly lovely.
There are some really nice, important moments in this book that would serve a younger reader really well such as Jam's experience with casual racism and her response to teach her school about micro-aggressions. I liked how Jam's school newspaper experience was portrayed as well in the book, and I think if I was a younger kid reading the book in a country where schools had their own newspapers, I would be tempted to join in.
This was just a lovely book that I definitely enjoyed for the short time it took to read it. The Little Women elements were done well, and I feel like some characters more than others were brilliantly crafted to be very much like their LW counterparts - Aleeza most of all, she was very Amy without being petty or mean. Just a slightly spoiled little girl who still loves her family.
I loved the family moments in this book, from the various conversations Jam had with her Baba and how close they were, to how they looked after Bisma when she got ill. I also really appreciated the look of extended family and family friends who were like aunts and uncle flocking to help the family when they needed them - it was honestly lovely.
There are some really nice, important moments in this book that would serve a younger reader really well such as Jam's experience with casual racism and her response to teach her school about micro-aggressions. I liked how Jam's school newspaper experience was portrayed as well in the book, and I think if I was a younger kid reading the book in a country where schools had their own newspapers, I would be tempted to join in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Racism
apierlessbridge's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
linesiunderline's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a lovely story of sisterhood and family this is. It’s gentle, heartwarming, and offers fans of Little Women plenty of pleasing echos and moments of recognition along the way.
The four sisters in the Mirza family are meant to remind you of the March girls, which for this bookworm, was an immediate draw. There’s Jameela, our heroine who dreams of a career in journalism; Maryam, the eldest, responsible, studious and beautiful; Bisma, gentle, loving and sensitive; and Aleeza, artistic and fiery and frankly, kind of whiny. It took no time at all to realize who corresponded to whom (especially thanks to the way Khan named her characters using the same first initials as Alcott’s girls).
I appreciate how the author captured a similar kind of closeness and feeling of love in this family as we find when we read Little Women. While I don’t think the four Mirza girls come across as being as fully realized as the March sisters, you feel and believe in their connection. I also enjoyed spotting memorable moments of the original plot being remade in this novel. I do find myself looking for those in a “remake” and perhaps the author could have included even more parallels.
Getting a glimpse into the ordinary daily life of this Pakistani American family was the real pleasure of the book. Khan also incorporates some important introductory conversations around microaggressions through an article that Jameela is working on for her school paper.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I wanted more. More family moments where the girls’ characters came to life, more of Jameela, so that she could feel as central and alive as Jo, and more story overall. Bisma’s cancer was the primary focus and in my opinion, the novel ended too soon. I get that Alcott’s book was five times as long, so the author had to narrow her scope.
This is a satisfying, gentle interpretation of a much loved classic that I would happily pass to any reader who adores the March sisters.
The four sisters in the Mirza family are meant to remind you of the March girls, which for this bookworm, was an immediate draw. There’s Jameela, our heroine who dreams of a career in journalism; Maryam, the eldest, responsible, studious and beautiful; Bisma, gentle, loving and sensitive; and Aleeza, artistic and fiery and frankly, kind of whiny. It took no time at all to realize who corresponded to whom (especially thanks to the way Khan named her characters using the same first initials as Alcott’s girls).
I appreciate how the author captured a similar kind of closeness and feeling of love in this family as we find when we read Little Women. While I don’t think the four Mirza girls come across as being as fully realized as the March sisters, you feel and believe in their connection. I also enjoyed spotting memorable moments of the original plot being remade in this novel. I do find myself looking for those in a “remake” and perhaps the author could have included even more parallels.
Getting a glimpse into the ordinary daily life of this Pakistani American family was the real pleasure of the book. Khan also incorporates some important introductory conversations around microaggressions through an article that Jameela is working on for her school paper.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I wanted more. More family moments where the girls’ characters came to life, more of Jameela, so that she could feel as central and alive as Jo, and more story overall. Bisma’s cancer was the primary focus and in my opinion, the novel ended too soon. I get that Alcott’s book was five times as long, so the author had to narrow her scope.
This is a satisfying, gentle interpretation of a much loved classic that I would happily pass to any reader who adores the March sisters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
CW: microaggressions (challenged), death of a parent of a secondary characterrainbowsnorlax's review against another edition
Since I loved Amina’s Voice I didn’t read the summary of this one. If I had known illness (specifically cancer) was this prominent in the book I wouldn’t have picked it up since that’s very triggering to me. Maybe one day I’ll be able to read this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer