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kiramke's review
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
Very delicate interweaving, surreality and internal commentary. I'm very impressed, what a lovely way to communicate a shared but variable experience.
curiouslykaylee's review against another edition
2.0
This was a difficult one to rate. I picked it up not knowing much about it, and the synopsis didn’t tell me too much.
I enjoyed some of the stories. But too many were unnecessarily vulgar. The synopsis did mention that these stories were interconnected, but I only noticed a few chapters with connections. Overall it was a confusing read, though I acknowledge that may just be me.
I enjoyed some of the stories. But too many were unnecessarily vulgar. The synopsis did mention that these stories were interconnected, but I only noticed a few chapters with connections. Overall it was a confusing read, though I acknowledge that may just be me.
msladyreads's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Violence, Excrement, Islamophobia, Cannibalism, Outing, and Deportation
bridge_overbooked's review
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
I feel bad giving this one 2 stars - there are two stories in this collection that I absolutely loved and would give 5 stars to separately. BUT the rest of them were confusing and I didn't understand them at all. I do wish that Unnikrishnan would make an entire sci fi book about laborers being grown as a commentary on people as a commodity!
"Temporary People" is a collection of short stories that explore the experiences of foreign workers in the United Arab Emirates. Through a blend of magical realism, satire, and poignant realism, Unnikrishnan delves into the lives of these "temporary people," highlighting their struggles, dreams, and the harsh realities they face. The book sheds light on the exploitation and marginalization of migrant workers while also celebrating their resilience and humanity, offering a unique perspective on the global phenomenon of labor migration.
"Temporary People" is a collection of short stories that explore the experiences of foreign workers in the United Arab Emirates. Through a blend of magical realism, satire, and poignant realism, Unnikrishnan delves into the lives of these "temporary people," highlighting their struggles, dreams, and the harsh realities they face. The book sheds light on the exploitation and marginalization of migrant workers while also celebrating their resilience and humanity, offering a unique perspective on the global phenomenon of labor migration.
kai_tjong's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
jjohnsonblalock's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
rkkmistry's review
5.0
dang!! this makes me so nostalgic for Abu Dhabi !! I really miss that place...
really tho this book had me thinking a lot about the the idea of the "novel" vs a collection of short stories. like this book is billed as a novel even though it's filled with quite heterogenous content (i mean they almost all sort of speak to an indian-origin experience in the the UAE, but beyond that there really aren't recurring characters and many of the stories feel like they happen in different worlds). That being said, it really does work and it does feel like there are these conceptual or place-based concerns that really tie everything together. really tho I almost want to say that perhaps this is the only way to represent AD given that it is a place that is filled with such a diversity of experiences...obviously that's true of every city, but in AD I feel like it is truly different worlds depending on where you're coming from. the result is that the author's really diverse use of style ends up sort of mimicking that dislocation as you move between different types of experiences. very dope
really tho this book had me thinking a lot about the the idea of the "novel" vs a collection of short stories. like this book is billed as a novel even though it's filled with quite heterogenous content (i mean they almost all sort of speak to an indian-origin experience in the the UAE, but beyond that there really aren't recurring characters and many of the stories feel like they happen in different worlds). That being said, it really does work and it does feel like there are these conceptual or place-based concerns that really tie everything together. really tho I almost want to say that perhaps this is the only way to represent AD given that it is a place that is filled with such a diversity of experiences...obviously that's true of every city, but in AD I feel like it is truly different worlds depending on where you're coming from. the result is that the author's really diverse use of style ends up sort of mimicking that dislocation as you move between different types of experiences. very dope