Reviews

** Books 79 - 2022 **

2,7 of 5 stars

I choose to read this books since the synopsis looks intriguing but in the end i'm wrong. at first i think i will read about Layla and her idea to engage about women empowerment in Egypt. But it turn out the story itself more about Layla and her relationship with some men (if i'm not mistaken it is three men in this books :') Thanks god the story about the demonstration in egypt to fight british is one of the most interesting in this pieces. However, i feel this books still lack of focus on what is the feminism idea actually from Layla it is

erickabdz's review against another edition

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3.0

[...] those indistinct longings planted themselves stolidly in the territory above her heart, accumulating layer upon layer to press heavily on her chest. She fancied them layers of mourning for something gone and something to come; but what?

A beautiful, moving story about the coming of age of a girl as Egypt struggled for independence from the British. It could be said that this is a story about romantic love; about the idea of loving free against the social expectations of the time, but it never totally felt like one; there was always the pressing, important issue of love for one's country and Layla's evergrowing political consciousness. For Layla and other characters, love and nationalism were one and the same.

I tried to read a little about Egypt's history before, during and after this book, but still, it was a new topic for me and it's impossible for me to fully grasp the importance of the topics touched within its context. Marilyn Booth offers a thoughtful afterword, and I can appreciate the enormous impact this book had in this time -an optimist account of resistance and an ode to women's liberation.

The sole reason I can't give it a rating that reflects more accurately the importance and allure of this book is that I, simply, couldn't enjoy it much past its relevance. It was an interesting study but slow to read, and while the romance fulfilled its practical purpose I couldn't feel much about it. Still, The Open Door surpasses its historical significance and becomes a dazzling work of art full of stunning lines that gave food for thought.

mariamelrayes's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

marie_maude's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense 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? Yes

5.0

tehuti's review against another edition

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5.0

RTC

sophiesbookmusings's review against another edition

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slow-paced

A challenging read, that takes a little while to get through but one that is well worth it. While I certainly don’t understand all the intricacies of this it is clear why it is seen as a landmark work of Arabic literature. It’s genuinely a shame that this is not more easily available and more widely read among modern (western) audiences.

sumatranelectricchair's review against another edition

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5.0

landmark work of Arab feminist and anti-imperialist literature, fantastic translation by Marilyn Booth too, wishing i was better at Arabic so I could read the original and appreciate al-Zayyat’s novel use of the colloquial. one of my new favorites

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