booksinbedinthornhill's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
3.0
Interesting to read this book right after We Run the Tides. Same themes of female friendship, ‘kidnapping,’ coming-of-age, etc. but characters in Shamsie book more complex.
nadiag's review against another edition
3.75
took a while to get into it but enjoyable , interesting friendship dynamic
cityjacko's review against another edition
3.0
I have very mixed feelings about this book and struggled to rate it as a result. On the one hand it was a perfectly enjoyable read which offered insight into life in Pakistan in the eighties but I felt it could have given so much more given the themes on offer.
The first part of the book had a distinctive 'young adult' feel to it as the author detailed the growth of the childhood friendship between Zahra and Maryam in spite of their differing social and political backgrounds and their passage into young adulthood.
In the second part of the book, 30 years on and still friends, I expected a lot more depth and exploration of significant issues such as power, culture, women and politics but it just didn't come in spite of the platforms being there for them to be developed. I was left wanting more and a distinct feeling that the potential for something much more potent was there but just not realised.
I am grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced reader copy of this book.
The first part of the book had a distinctive 'young adult' feel to it as the author detailed the growth of the childhood friendship between Zahra and Maryam in spite of their differing social and political backgrounds and their passage into young adulthood.
In the second part of the book, 30 years on and still friends, I expected a lot more depth and exploration of significant issues such as power, culture, women and politics but it just didn't come in spite of the platforms being there for them to be developed. I was left wanting more and a distinct feeling that the potential for something much more potent was there but just not realised.
I am grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced reader copy of this book.
cityjacko's review against another edition
3.0
I have very mixed feelings about this book and struggled to rate it as a result. On the one hand it was a perfectly enjoyable read which offered insight into life in Pakistan in the eighties but I felt it could have given so much more given the themes on offer.
The first part of the book had a distinctive 'young adult' feel to it as the author detailed the growth of the childhood friendship between Zahra and Maryam in spite of their differing social and political backgrounds and their passage into young adulthood.
In the second part of the book, 30 years on and still friends, I expected a lot more depth and exploration of significant issues such as power, culture, women and politics but it just didn't come in spite of the platforms being there for them to be developed. I was left wanting more and a distinct feeling that the potential for something much more potent was there but just not realised.
I am grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced reader copy of this book.
The first part of the book had a distinctive 'young adult' feel to it as the author detailed the growth of the childhood friendship between Zahra and Maryam in spite of their differing social and political backgrounds and their passage into young adulthood.
In the second part of the book, 30 years on and still friends, I expected a lot more depth and exploration of significant issues such as power, culture, women and politics but it just didn't come in spite of the platforms being there for them to be developed. I was left wanting more and a distinct feeling that the potential for something much more potent was there but just not realised.
I am grateful to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced reader copy of this book.
nadiaabdulla'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
2.5
summer_griffin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lindapool's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
mariafleissig's review against another edition
Not my type of book, no plot, was very bored
sophie93's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
whyamireading's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0