Scan barcode
jessicahyf's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t think I enjoyed this novel - it took me freaking forever to finish it, but it’s a necessary and good read. It’s bleak, brutal, relentless, and doesn’t give you much space to breathe, just like the revolution itself. I imagine it’s going to hit home for many given the global wave of protests over the past few years. At least it hits home for me. It’s the closest I’ll ever get with a revolution, be it successful or failed, and I deeply appreciate its honesty to not shy away from all the difficult decisions facing everyone who took part in it.
robin_vdputte's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
mirias's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
nowwar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
baekhyjn's review against another edition
3.0
I loved learning about the 2011 failed Egyptian Revolution in such a lyrical way. The author writes page-long sentences in critical moments that often make you run out of breath in your mind. I learnt a lot.
noursie22's review against another edition
2.0
I want to give this book a better rating because it is beautifully written. It took me a long time to read, the writer demands so much emotionally (especially from Egyptians, who were there, who know, who experienced what is written). I need to take the time parse out why this book makes me uneasy, and perhaps I can't say that I 'liked it' because it was so difficult to get through and while the fracturing felt very real and relatable, the writing felt like it stood on its emotional triggering alone (for me), and I had a hard time dividing myself from that without dissociating basically from the text.
05hamiltonk's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I completely fell in love with this book. The first thing I’ve read in a while that I couldn’t put down and was burning to read.
It really transports you to Cairo, to the middle of the revolution, through the eyes of the young people who led it. An emotional rollercoaster that leaves you heavy hearted and hoping for change.
It really transports you to Cairo, to the middle of the revolution, through the eyes of the young people who led it. An emotional rollercoaster that leaves you heavy hearted and hoping for change.
mxgancxtherine's review against another edition
5.0
this was INSANE. the writing, the pacing, the character & relationship development yum
shelfimprovement's review against another edition
4.0
A well-constructed and important story, even though I didn't love the writing style all that much. Full review to come.