Reviews

Huis in brand, by Kamila Shamsie

avalydia's review against another edition

3.0

Honestly, this started out good, but by the end the plot was straining credulity. Like... really? Come on.

ghosthardware's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

leah_reads's review against another edition

5.0

Bloody hell. What a book.

lumos_tm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

christiek's review against another edition

5.0

Compelling, thoughtful, complicated, beautifully written. I loved the way the multiple POV were handled.

mya_kershaw_dann's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sarita_eve's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

emmurghhh's review against another edition

5.0

Amazing.

livnewman's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Home Fire captivated me from start to finish. It centres around three children from a Muslim British family in 2015 who struggle for inclusion at a time and a place where terrorism, ISIS and jihad are nightly news features and tools for political fearmongering. As the brother is lured by the false promises of extremism, we watch with horror how the family, politicians and nation respond. Shamsie has done an outstanding job of giving her readers a window into what it meant to be a British Muslim at this time. For some, it meant feeling like an outsider everywhere, of always having to be on best behaviour; for others, it required an abandonment of identity, and the betrayal of others. Shamsie skillfully depicts the many different experiences of her characters and engenders sympathy for each of them, even the seemingly most unlikeable. This story is a truly meaningful look at identity, nationality, and the right to citizenship, and I'm glad I read it.

notasilkycat's review against another edition

4.0

“Breathtaking”, “powerful”, “fearless”, “brave and brilliant” - this is the case when all you read about book on its cover is a true indeed. I like it, I like it, I like it.