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yvespiders's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
2.0
Honor is an example of how a good idea can be executed poorly. I appreciate that the novel tries to make readers aware of urgent issues around Islamophobia and misogyny in a specific cultural context. But the execution of these ideas fell flat and was at times problematic.
Despite what others have said about the "beautiful writing", I found the writing to be grating and unbearable at times. The novel was very heavy handed in hinting at a plot reveal and there was an excessive amount of over explaining, using the main character Smita's internal thoughts. I admit that this may be a matter of taste, as I prefer it when authors give me some room to interpret the text and think for myself.
The more problematic issue I had with Honor is that despite including a few paragraphs towards the end criticizing news outlets for promoting the consumption of poverty porn and trauma porn for privileged audiences in the States, I found that the novel perpetuated just that. I don't usually have an issue with graphic details, as long as it is done carefully and meaningfully; however, there is a part of the novel that described a sexual, traumatic event involving a child . And again, because of the writing style, it was drenched in over-explanation and heavy-handedness. I felt that the excessive details did not add anything new to what was already conveyed and it was just a terrible experience reading through that part.
I find it interesting that many of the positive reviews for this novel seem to come from readers who did not know much about the social-cultural issues mentioned in the book, and who possibly may be coming from a place of privilege. (I mean...it was endorsed by Reese Witherspoon FFS.) I would be more interested in hearing the opinions about Honor from a Muslim woman of Indian descent, particularly about the tragic events described in the text and the characterization of Smita and her parents and Meena's husband. I also felt that the novel could have delved deeper into the social-cultural issues that were mentioned and explained why these problems are still occurring in India today. This fictional take on very real issues was superficial to me.
Suffice to say, I did not enjoy this book. I'll give it credit for not being boring (I did finish it after all).
Despite what others have said about the "beautiful writing", I found the writing to be grating and unbearable at times. The novel was very heavy handed in hinting at a plot reveal and there was an excessive amount of over explaining, using the main character Smita's internal thoughts. I admit that this may be a matter of taste, as I prefer it when authors give me some room to interpret the text and think for myself.
The more problematic issue I had with Honor is that despite including a few paragraphs towards the end criticizing news outlets for promoting the consumption of poverty porn and trauma porn for privileged audiences in the States, I found that the novel perpetuated just that. I don't usually have an issue with graphic details, as long as it is done carefully and meaningfully; however, there is a part of the novel that described
I find it interesting that many of the positive reviews for this novel seem to come from readers who did not know much about the social-cultural issues mentioned in the book, and who possibly may be coming from a place of privilege. (I mean...it was endorsed by Reese Witherspoon FFS.) I would be more interested in hearing the opinions about Honor from a Muslim woman of Indian descent, particularly about the tragic events described in the text and the characterization of Smita and her parents and Meena's husband. I also felt that the novel could have delved deeper into the social-cultural issues that were mentioned and explained why these problems are still occurring in India today. This fictional take on very real issues was superficial to me.
Suffice to say, I did not enjoy this book. I'll give it credit for not being boring (I did finish it after all).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Islamophobia, and Death of parent
marlainmontanareads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Religious bigotry
kaitlynmarie303's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child abuse
mariedhut's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
tonstantweader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Honor is a book about a dangerous word. Honor should be about doing the right thing but it is often twisted into defining a person’s worth by how completely they control the women in their family. We all have heard of honor killings. Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, survived being shot for going to school. Lest we congratulate ourselves for not being Pakistan, three American women are killed every day by their husband or boyfriend. In India, Laxmi Agarwal survived an acid attack by a man she turned down for marriage and went on to be an activist against the patriarchal system in India. I think it is no accident that the main character’s last name is Agarwal.
Smita Agarwal was on vacation in the Maldives when her friend and colleague, Shannon, asked her to come to Mumbai while she recovers from an accident and surgery. She wants Smita to take over her story about Meena, a courageous survivor who took her brothers to court for setting fire to her home, disfiguring her and killing her husband. They are waiting for the judge’s ruling. Since it is in rural India, Shannon’s friend Mohan accompanies Smita to be her escort.
Meena is Hindu and her husband was Muslim and their marriage offended everyone, but her brothers were dishonored in their own eyes as well as the community. They did not effectively control their sister. They could only restore their honor by killing her and her husband. That she survived and has a child of this marriage remains a stain on their honor. They gleefully talk about killing her and the child.
This all reaffirms long-held resentment against India, even though she was born there. She and Mohan are attracted to each other but their disparate understanding and feelings about India are a sore spot between them. All they can do is wait for the verdict and what happens after.
I loved Honor. Thrity Umrigar excelled at creating a sense of place, not just the sights, sounds, and smells, but also the mood, the implacable menace of Meena’s village. The fearful ambivalence of her mother-in-law’s home, the serenity of Mohan’s home, and the vibrant chaos and contrasts of Mumbai. She also had the courage to disappoint us and foil our hopes and expectations.
Most of all, I love that she took on that word, honor. Like respect, it has this dangerous reliance on other people to provide it. For many people, usually men, honor is not based on what they do but on how completely they dominate women. For many people, respect is not earned, but an expectation based on occupation or rank. How many people have been abused by police because the police felt disrespected? When will people learn that honor and respect comes from within, not from without?
I received an ARC from the publisher through Shelf Awareness.
- Honor at Algonquin Books | Workman Publishing
- Thrity Umrigar author site
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2022/01/01/honor-by-thrity-umrigar/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, and Violence
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