Reviews

The Last Days of Cafe Leila by Donia Bijan

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zellreads's review against another edition

3.0

Heartwarming but very slow paced. I enjoyed the story and the family, but felt that the characters were underdeveloped and there wasn't much growth in them. Beautiful writing but felt like a lot of filler in the beginning/middle, then super quickly moving suddenly at the end.

savannahldarr's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a joy to read. I could not help but love this family.

hazelrosen's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.25

itscaledonia's review against another edition

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5.0

Where to begin, with this lovely book.... from sorrow, to joy, to painting a magnificent picture of the delightful traditional Persian cuisine, to perfectly capturing the ambiance of cafe life and the struggles and triumphs of running a family business, this book offers something for everyone. I found myself swept away into Iran’s rich past, learning more about the Revolution and of the age before it than I ever have before. The characters were warm, inviting and real - as I read I felt they were members of my own family, Donia Bijans’ writing was as immersive as it was heartwarming. This is an absolute must read, a true testament to the power of love, family, and moving forward despite any circumstances.

maria161985's review against another edition

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3.0

When I first read the synopsis of this book, I was truly intrigued, especially when it talked about the impact that Café Leila would have on the family who owned it. However, as I began the book, I realized that this book was more about individual family issues (e.g. abandonment, persecution, etc.), specifically in regards to the family that owned Café Leila, such as Zod, Pari, Noor, and Lily. I did enjoy reading about the difficulties faced by individuals living in Iran, such as Pari's wrongful imprisonment, and the consequences paid by her family as a result. When Farris came into the picture, I was shocked at how low someone would go to hurt another individual. It truly broke my heart to read about unwanted marriages, and how certain women were treated by their own families as a result of not wanting to marry a certain individual. I loved how Lily became more welcoming towards the idea of living in Iran, and her ability to adapt in a culture totally foreign to her own. I did feel though that the plot had no climax, as it only talked about the daily life of certain characters, going back in the past at times to speak of Noor's time in school, and her first thoughts of America. I would give this book more of a 3.5 rather than a 3, as I felt it had a strong connection to the characters described, but lacked that depth in plot that would pull a reader in.

ruth24's review against another edition

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5.0

Please note that I received this book in a giveaway from Thomas Allen & Son.

This. book. was. so. good.

I sensed right away that I would like it based on the cover and the blurb. It's been almost three weeks now since I read it, so I can't talk about it as eloquently as I would like to, but I'll try!

The Last Days of Cafe Leila made me super interested in Iranian culture and food, and after I finished it, I added a bunch of books about Iran to my TBR list. Shortly after finishing it I also made friends with a Persian girl and she took me out to try all the amazing foods I read about in this book. How serendipitous! I wish books came to me in the mail with a set menu, a playlist, scent cards etc., though honestly with a great book like this that makes you sense all that stuff anyway, it's not really necessary!

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the experience of eating and/or who struggles with duality in their identity.