sakisreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
I was thrilled to have a chance to read this, because I’d been eyeing it up from time to time and then got gifted it by a friend 🥹
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the mind-blowing tale I was expecting. However, the calmness in which the narrator discusses his and his family’s lives were poignant ✨ There was a particularly difficult part (content warnings are included below), but there was more joy than I expected. This family, working towards the supposed ‘American dream’, have so much love to give to each other ❤️
I also enjoyed Johnny’s appearances throughout the story. I thought he was a buoy for our narrator when sometimes the narrator seemed to be ‘drowning’.
3.5 out of 5 stars for me. Thank you ✨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Child abuse, and Toxic relationship
mikeelik's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
stahract's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I was not prepared for the sexual nature of this book. Also, the plot jumped so much. It was written more like a diary than a story with events jumping from one place to another without clear transitions.
girlreading's review against another edition
4.0
A moving exploration of family, diaspora, sexuality and the various meaning of 'home', I Will Greet the Sun again is a heartbreaking, sincere, tender and illuminating coming-of-age story, that will move its readers from beginning until end.
TW: racism, rape, child abuse, domestic violence, incest, Islamphobia
TW: racism, rape, child abuse, domestic violence, incest, Islamphobia
saibhandari's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
olamroczek's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
An utterly heartbreaking but equally hopeful and beautiful story of a young boy (and later man) experiencing hardships connected with his identity, acceptance and fitting-in.
While it was not an easy read, both because of the difficult topic discussed and because of the slower pace, it was still definitely worth reading. I would recommend it to everyone who enjoyed titles like Open Water or Bellies.
Huge thanks to Net Galley, Penguin General and the author for providing me with this digital review copy. All opinions are my own.
While it was not an easy read, both because of the difficult topic discussed and because of the slower pace, it was still definitely worth reading. I would recommend it to everyone who enjoyed titles like Open Water or Bellies.
Huge thanks to Net Galley, Penguin General and the author for providing me with this digital review copy. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
mstormer's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
angeliki_kar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"I Will Greet the Sun Again," is a powerful debut that follows the coming-of-age story of three young brothers and their journey of self-discovery, navigating complex family relationships, and the pursuit of belonging in '90s Los Angeles. The novel also takes us to Iran, providing a unique glimpse of post-revolutionary life through the perspective of first-generation immigrants.
I was graciously given an advance reading copy of this book by Viking in exchange for an honest review. Initially worried about meeting the publication deadline, I couldn't put it down once I started reading and finished it within a weekend! The atmospheric writing beautifully transports you between California and Iran, immersing you in the vividly portrayed settings. The author weaves cultural complexities, queerness and family dynamics crafting a story that unfolds through a series of snapshots of the lives of the three brothers during the turn of the new millennium. The portrayal of Iranian-American life and the relationship among the brothers and their mother adds depth and tenderness to the story.
It's important to note that the book tackles difficult topics such as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, which caught me off guard and felt overwhelming at times but that were nonetheless handled with sensitivity.
"I Will Greet The Sun Again" is a beautifully written journey of self-discovery and identity that resonates with the human spirit, inviting self-reflection on life's important moments. I would highly recommend it as one of your summer reads!
abbie_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my free digital ARC in exchange for a review!
I Will Greet the Sun Again is a gorgeous and heartbreaking portrayal of a queer Iranian-American boy’s coming of age, set against the backdrop of 9/11. This is Khabushani’s debut but his prose is assured and he paints an extraordinarily vivid picture.
I Will Greet the Sun Again is a gorgeous and heartbreaking portrayal of a queer Iranian-American boy’s coming of age, set against the backdrop of 9/11. This is Khabushani’s debut but his prose is assured and he paints an extraordinarily vivid picture.
I loved the depiction of awkward adolescence, which alternates between cute and bumbling and more serious tones. The sensory details are so vivid that you feel like a fly on the wall. You can feel the slightly oppressive atmosphere of their LA flat where three teenage boys are sleeping, smell the chai in the kitchen, sense the ominous shift in the air when their father gets home. When the boys are whisked away to Iran by their father, furious at the effect America is having on his boys and wife, the atmosphere changes but is just as well written. The noisy chaos of the airport, the bedlam of the roads where it’s every driver for himself, the sleepy, peaceful ambience of their grandfather’s house, embodied by afternoon naps on the terrace and the scent of ripe figs (though things become less idyllic at night).
The book focuses more on father / son dynamics (content warning for childhood sexual abuse), and I did want a little more from their mother whose story would warrant a book of her own. Khabushani manages to deliver emotional gut punches and explore sensitive topics, but avoids the common pitfall of beating the reader over the head with trauma porn.
A moving debut that highlights those who feel they must suffer in silence, the ups and downs of brotherhood, the balance between multiple aspects of identity (queer, Muslim, Iranian-American) written in lovely prose. Out on 3rd of August in the UK!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Islamophobia