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jennikreads's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Homophobia
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
- 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
Other Names for Love explores a father son relationship, one complicated by set ideas about masculinity, homosexuality and dementia. It also explored memory, emigration, politics, and the concept of legacy. The writing was poignant and almost poetic in places. The sense of place, particularly rural Pakistan, was vividly rendered. However, something about the writing kept me at a remove from the characters, meaning I never emotionally connected with this story in the way I might have expected. Or it may have been the structure which featured dual perspectives - some chapters from the Fahad’s point of view and others from Rafik’s - and a large chronological jump in the middle of the novel. I did like that the author trusted the reader - not everything was spelt out on the page. Certainly an author to keep an eye on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Homophobia