skan's review against another edition
3.0
The overall story of this was okay, but another love triangle. Really? I didn't even know it was possible to have one in a historical fiction book. Other than that, this is a book I'd recommend.
emilyusuallyreading's review against another edition
3.0
What I Liked
I liked the setting of this story. It's difficult to find fiction set during the partition of India, so I was excited to catch a glimpse into a monumental time in Indian culture.
What I Didn't Like
Bradbury does not do a good enough job of making the character voices individualized. Each chapter switches between Margaret, Tariq, and Anupreet, and I often found myself checking the top of the page to see who was supposed to be speaking.
There is a lot of insta-love, attempted (and failed) love triangles, white savior heroism, and more cheesy plot points that had me rolling my eyes more than finding myself caught up in the story.
I liked the setting of this story. It's difficult to find fiction set during the partition of India, so I was excited to catch a glimpse into a monumental time in Indian culture.
What I Didn't Like
Bradbury does not do a good enough job of making the character voices individualized. Each chapter switches between Margaret, Tariq, and Anupreet, and I often found myself checking the top of the page to see who was supposed to be speaking.
There is a lot of insta-love, attempted (and failed) love triangles, white savior heroism, and more cheesy plot points that had me rolling my eyes more than finding myself caught up in the story.
nessarose's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
storytimed's review against another edition
1.0
Never really had enough nuance or energy to redeem the fact that this is a book about the separation of India and Pakistan, a serious issue with consequences that are still felt today, written by a white girl who taught English there for like, a year and decided that This Would Be Her Issue.
It's not that white people can't write about brown people, it's that to do so they need to actually understand their characters' culture enough to give them, you know, personalities? They need to figure out that maybe it's not a good idea to center the perspective of a bored rich English girl whose major issue is that the guy she likes is "leading her on" so he can maybe escape a situation defined by sectarian violence and gain the education he needs to help his people! They need to know how to write about conflict using something other than tired platitudes gleaned from an undergrad's level of research.
It's not that white people can't write about brown people, it's that to do so they need to actually understand their characters' culture enough to give them, you know, personalities? They need to figure out that maybe it's not a good idea to center the perspective of a bored rich English girl whose major issue is that the guy she likes is "leading her on" so he can maybe escape a situation defined by sectarian violence and gain the education he needs to help his people! They need to know how to write about conflict using something other than tired platitudes gleaned from an undergrad's level of research.
marydawnschuck's review against another edition
1.0
This book just didn't do it for me. I kept waiting for it to get better, but it didn't.
siobhan27's review against another edition
4.0
What makes us fall in love with a book? Well for me it takes a few different things. I need to relate to the characters, feel like I understand the setting and fall in love with the writing style. When I started A Moment Comes it seemed like I would hate this book because everything expect for the writing style was missing. It had the makings of a book I would feel nothing for, yet it turned out to be the exact opposite.
The characters were so far removed from my way of life that I was immediately sucked into their world and their culture. I think when I read that they were from India and were there during the conflict between Sikhs and Muslims i did not know how I was going to react because I have never been through something like that, and to tell you the truth, the children in this book should not have had to go through something like that. The religion and their treatment of woman was something that I knew about from news etc. but reading it in this context where they are characters that I am invested in made my heart break. There were moments when I would sit back and stop reading because I didn't think I would be able to go on.
I loved the way this book was written because it was in three different perspectives. One Muslim boy who has aspirations of getting out of India and away from the violence and attend Oxford University. Another was a young Sikhs girl who was, a time before this books beginning, attached by some men and it left with a lifetime reminder on her face. And the last one is a young British girl who is on "vacation" with her mother in India while her Father works for government trying to separate India and Pakistan.
These three voices were so different and gave a different perspective to someone like me who had no idea what to think. I found it extremely interesting to read the perspective of Tariq, who is the young Muslim boy who wants to go to Oxford. He works for the British girls father in hopes of getting his approval to attend Oxford and go home with them, but what I found so interesting was his views of his own country and how much he contested what was going on. I loved that.
This novel was a wonderful surprise for me because of how much I related to these character. They are all young, and they are all trying to find themselves a place in the world. And honestly we all do that no matter what religion we are, or the color of our skin. This novel felt true the culture as far as I could tell and the characters felt real and honest. It is such a heartwarming read that everyone needs to read.
The characters were so far removed from my way of life that I was immediately sucked into their world and their culture. I think when I read that they were from India and were there during the conflict between Sikhs and Muslims i did not know how I was going to react because I have never been through something like that, and to tell you the truth, the children in this book should not have had to go through something like that. The religion and their treatment of woman was something that I knew about from news etc. but reading it in this context where they are characters that I am invested in made my heart break. There were moments when I would sit back and stop reading because I didn't think I would be able to go on.
I loved the way this book was written because it was in three different perspectives. One Muslim boy who has aspirations of getting out of India and away from the violence and attend Oxford University. Another was a young Sikhs girl who was, a time before this books beginning, attached by some men and it left with a lifetime reminder on her face. And the last one is a young British girl who is on "vacation" with her mother in India while her Father works for government trying to separate India and Pakistan.
These three voices were so different and gave a different perspective to someone like me who had no idea what to think. I found it extremely interesting to read the perspective of Tariq, who is the young Muslim boy who wants to go to Oxford. He works for the British girls father in hopes of getting his approval to attend Oxford and go home with them, but what I found so interesting was his views of his own country and how much he contested what was going on. I loved that.
This novel was a wonderful surprise for me because of how much I related to these character. They are all young, and they are all trying to find themselves a place in the world. And honestly we all do that no matter what religion we are, or the color of our skin. This novel felt true the culture as far as I could tell and the characters felt real and honest. It is such a heartwarming read that everyone needs to read.
misspentdays's review against another edition
4.0
Jennifer Bradbury's A Moment Comes is a fascinating glimpse into some of the struggles surrounding the partitioning of Pakistan and India, told from the perspective of three teens, a Muslim boy, a Sikh girl, and a newly arrived British girl. All have a "past", but how they handle these few months will determine their future.
A great read for YA up. Especially recommended for those who enjoy armchair travel or historical fiction.
A great read for YA up. Especially recommended for those who enjoy armchair travel or historical fiction.
ajworkman77's review against another edition
3.0
Cavalcade author. Lovely historical fiction about a time in history you don't read about. Very relevant to today's current events.
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
5.0
Fine mix of characters and chapters in alternating points of view bring to life some important parts of the history of India and Pakistan. Beautifully done.