wonderwonan's review against another edition
2.25
it’s easier for me to review a book I semi-liked than a book I four- or five-starred. so here I am.
what I liked: the setting of two women in the Indian community during apartheid in South Africa. the writing and the performance of the audiobook narrator.
while listening I was ready to give this book three stars BUT THEN. the ending served me a whole bowl of nothing, not rewarding me in the least for rooting for the mcs out of pure gay solidarity.
it felt like the book wanted to cover too much ground, ending up with only luke-warm realizations for each theme. the characters were one-dimensional and multiple story lines were introduced that ended up going absolutely nowhere satisfying. the book raised too many important questions to only aswer them with a shrug.
take-away: I am glad I got a better feel of apartheid in South Africa, I just wish I had had more fun along the way. maybe historal fiction that is purely historical fiction just isn't for me!
what I liked: the setting of two women in the Indian community during apartheid in South Africa. the writing and the performance of the audiobook narrator.
while listening I was ready to give this book three stars BUT THEN. the ending served me a whole bowl of nothing, not rewarding me in the least for rooting for the mcs out of pure gay solidarity.
it felt like the book wanted to cover too much ground, ending up with only luke-warm realizations for each theme. the characters were one-dimensional and multiple story lines were introduced that ended up going absolutely nowhere satisfying. the book raised too many important questions to only aswer them with a shrug.
take-away: I am glad I got a better feel of apartheid in South Africa, I just wish I had had more fun along the way. maybe historal fiction that is purely historical fiction just isn't for me!
jamietherebelliousreader's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars. What the hell was that ending? I want more. I need answers dammit! This was a really good read though I will admit that the first 20% or so was really dry. It took a bit for the story to find its footing but once it did it was great. I loved the writing and I found the characters of Miriam and Amina to be endearing and likable. I liked the way they fell for each other even though the ending left me wanting so much more. There was some race things that were uncomfortable and got the side eye from me but other than that this was a great read and I’m looking forward to watching the film adaptation.
naiu_cs's review against another edition
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Death
sixphanel's review against another edition
4.0
This was the second pick from the "Pick for me bookclub". Took me a while to get into it. I guess I've been reading too much YA stuff because the omniscient narrator sounded weird at first, but as I kept reading, the story hooked me and... yeah, I ended up enjoying it quite a bit.
Although I would have loved an extra chapter. Just saying.
Although I would have loved an extra chapter. Just saying.
trans_ishtar's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful story of love, family, and breaking traditions.
yesther's review against another edition
4.0
beautiful setting. very rich background characters. I was semi bored until page 136ish and then it got v good.
dwinters248's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
egelantier's review against another edition
4.0
fried green tomatoes (that's an inescapable reference, so let's get it out of the way at once) set during the beginning of apartheid in south africa. amina is an unconventional, rebellious young lesbian indian woman who set herself apart from the indian community in pretoria, who lives her life the way she wants to; miriam is a quiet, demure woman trapped in a loveless arranged marriage with a cold, abusive man. when they meet, their life is going to change.
the book is, in fact, less about their relationship - the book ends suddenly and doesn't really resolve the questions it sets - and more about place and time they inhabit; the changing social mores, the indian community within south africa, pervasive social issues, misogyny and racism and complexities of people trying to survive either. i loved the quiet, evocative, matter-of-fact language, and i liked the characters, and it resonated weirdly for me with праздничная гора, but i would've loved for it to have more answers for amina and miriam, maybe.
(there's also, apparently, a movie directed by the author herself).
the book is, in fact, less about their relationship - the book ends suddenly and doesn't really resolve the questions it sets - and more about place and time they inhabit; the changing social mores, the indian community within south africa, pervasive social issues, misogyny and racism and complexities of people trying to survive either. i loved the quiet, evocative, matter-of-fact language, and i liked the characters, and it resonated weirdly for me with праздничная гора, but i would've loved for it to have more answers for amina and miriam, maybe.
(there's also, apparently, a movie directed by the author herself).
katykaty's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0