sophie_seeing's review against another edition
4.0
Autor a family freind, i in my self obsetion sepent much time wondring if she drew inspration form my mother or my childhood.
this is not true but i like to think about it. cool a good break form crital threory, poltics and philosphy.
this is not true but i like to think about it. cool a good break form crital threory, poltics and philosphy.
abijohnstone's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
anagldc's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
lotte111's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
paeandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
It’s not bad, but not so good either. When they say the writer is a poet, I was expecting more, maybe prose-like sentences.
The premise however, very intriguing and thought provoking. I just wished the execution is better.
The premise however, very intriguing and thought provoking. I just wished the execution is better.
sanmeow's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
an exploration of mental health and mental illness through the story of ruby, an indian girl growing up with a mentally ill mother who neglects her, causing ruby to stop speaking. i think the construction of this story with its short vignettes/episodes is very interesting. the writing style is another element i liked, and i could definitely tell that the author is a poet. through the narrator we explore many difficult but important topics such as mental illness, family, neglect, abuse, racism, and more. ruby is a perfect narrator not only because of what she experiences herself, but also because of what she sees since she's a very observant person. my only complaint is that while the structure was intriguing, it confused me sometimes and didn't work quite as well as it could've.
jola_g's review against another edition
4.0
Warmth, subtlety, lyricism devoid of mawkishness — these are my recollections of Somebody Loves You (2021). Despite its pastel delicacy, the novel is far from idyllic. Mona Arshi does not retreat from difficult subjects like racism or parent's mental illness. It is a turbulent story, told succinctly, with quaint humour, bewitching nature descriptions and attention to every single word. And it rings so true.
I was taken with the narrator. Ruby calls herself justly an expert in the art of solitude and quietness and this portrayal encapsulates her personality perfectly. I do not know how autobiographical Somebody Loves You is but the narrator's memories are extremely vivid.
I always have a good feeling when I start reading a novel written by a poet and Somebody Loves You was no exception. My hunch did not let me down: the writing is ensnaring and the author has an exquisite ear for the rhythm and waving of prose. Mona Arshi has already published two poetry collections and this is her novelistic debut. A very promising one. Not perfect though and sometimes a bit like Auntie Number One's smoothies, which missed some vital, unreachable, unidentifiable ingredient. But as Ruby's father would say, a beautiful thing is never perfect.
Artwork by Parvez Taj.
I was taken with the narrator. Ruby calls herself justly an expert in the art of solitude and quietness and this portrayal encapsulates her personality perfectly. I do not know how autobiographical Somebody Loves You is but the narrator's memories are extremely vivid.
I always have a good feeling when I start reading a novel written by a poet and Somebody Loves You was no exception. My hunch did not let me down: the writing is ensnaring and the author has an exquisite ear for the rhythm and waving of prose. Mona Arshi has already published two poetry collections and this is her novelistic debut. A very promising one. Not perfect though and sometimes a bit like Auntie Number One's smoothies, which missed some vital, unreachable, unidentifiable ingredient. But as Ruby's father would say, a beautiful thing is never perfect.
Artwork by Parvez Taj.
tamaragomez's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Mental illness, and Death
kyljk's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25