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leavingsealevel's review against another edition
4.0
First...I keep reading Faiza Guene's books on airplanes and she is far, far too good an author for that. Both her books are beautifully written, funny, ironic, enlightening stories of immigrant lives in Paris. Airplanes are supposed to be for reading fluffy formulaic crap about vampires and/or crime fiction and/or Downton Abbey-like-stuff in book form.
Second, it is awfully interesting to read a book about immigrant stories...as some sort of immigrant. Albeit a very privileged one. (Not feeling the "expat" label. Never have here, that's not how leaving felt, and don't feel like pretending otherwise at the moment.) A first for me, though I have read so many books about immigrant experiences to my country of birth.
Second, it is awfully interesting to read a book about immigrant stories...as some sort of immigrant. Albeit a very privileged one. (Not feeling the "expat" label. Never have here, that's not how leaving felt, and don't feel like pretending otherwise at the moment.) A first for me, though I have read so many books about immigrant experiences to my country of birth.
misspalah's review against another edition
5.0
I’m kind of like a cat. Its as ive already lived several lives. I’m twenty five years old and already feel like i’m forty.
- Ahleme
.
.
The story begins with narration by Ahleme, an Algerian immigrant in France. It has no
concrete plot so if you did choose book based on plot then this book is not for you. It was more on random recollection of Ahleme thoughts , memories and experiences as an immigrant trying to survive in France. The struggle of identity that Ahlame felt as she has been living in France for so long that she practically like french but not necessarily wil be perceived as one by them. At the same time, Algerian identity is so detached from her that she did not remember what’s it like back home and the memories she has with her relatives. No matter how hard she worked, life always come and ambush her with more problems. From taking care of her father whom
she called ‘the boss’, to be alert all the
time about her brother Foued as she was scared that he will do some mistakes and got shipped out of the country, to always feel insecure about her finance when she hanged out with her friends, Nawel and Linda and shifting from one job to another because she needed job that paid well so she can feed her family. Ahleme’s strong point of view really painted out what its like to be an immigrant. I think the reason i can engage with her writing because it has a tone of nihilism. She does not really find that life has many things to offer (especially if you are considered an outsider and constantly fear of being deported back). I loved her relation with Auntie Mariatou (not her real auntie). She’s merely someone from the neighborhood that Ahleme find comfort with and seek guidance whenever life is too hard for her. Overall, I would recommend it if you wanted to explore a brief perspective of an immigrant in France.
- Ahleme
.
.
The story begins with narration by Ahleme, an Algerian immigrant in France. It has no
concrete plot so if you did choose book based on plot then this book is not for you. It was more on random recollection of Ahleme thoughts , memories and experiences as an immigrant trying to survive in France. The struggle of identity that Ahlame felt as she has been living in France for so long that she practically like french but not necessarily wil be perceived as one by them. At the same time, Algerian identity is so detached from her that she did not remember what’s it like back home and the memories she has with her relatives. No matter how hard she worked, life always come and ambush her with more problems. From taking care of her father whom
she called ‘the boss’, to be alert all the
time about her brother Foued as she was scared that he will do some mistakes and got shipped out of the country, to always feel insecure about her finance when she hanged out with her friends, Nawel and Linda and shifting from one job to another because she needed job that paid well so she can feed her family. Ahleme’s strong point of view really painted out what its like to be an immigrant. I think the reason i can engage with her writing because it has a tone of nihilism. She does not really find that life has many things to offer (especially if you are considered an outsider and constantly fear of being deported back). I loved her relation with Auntie Mariatou (not her real auntie). She’s merely someone from the neighborhood that Ahleme find comfort with and seek guidance whenever life is too hard for her. Overall, I would recommend it if you wanted to explore a brief perspective of an immigrant in France.
redewhurst's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
amalielc's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-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
5.0
lizgrr's review against another edition
3.0
I’m glad I gave this book a try because it was a different style than I’m used to. It is not particularly plot driven, which made it a bit difficult to read at first until I realized that it wasn’t meant to be. It was an interesting look into the world of an immigrant in France in the modern day and was political in its own right. The language was a bit brusk and tone was a bit young for me. Definitely an interesting read and I learned.
rebecita's review against another edition
3.0
Like Katie said, this was a quick read from a fresh Parisian voice. I was drawn to the narrator and her family, but the story never really went anywhere.