Reviews tagging 'Sexual harassment'

A Land Without Jasmine by Wajdi Al-Ahdal

2 reviews

year23's review

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

This is a bleak and scathing critique of patriarchy in Yemeni society. Challenging themes - I’m assuming and hoping the narratives are exaggerated to drive home the indictment of patriarchy but fear it may be actually be like this for many women. 

Agree with many of the reviews that this isn’t really a detective story and quite the opposite of sexy. It’s violent, grotesque, and terrifying - be careful of any review calling this “sexy”. I’d maybe put it as magical realism or speculative fiction. I don’t know if I’d recommend - it’s a book that will leave you feeling sick at times, you will be uncomfortable - and I think that’s the point. 

Check the trigger warning before going in. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

heather_lt's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.5

I really don't know how I feel about this short story... If it's a social criticism of Yemen culture, it's a scathing one. It was sometimes difficult to read, especially from the male perspectives in this book. It's all very ambiguous. I don't even know what genre this would fit into, maybe magical realism? The only thing I liked was the structure. Every chapter is a different point of view which adds to the investigation. I use the word "investigation" very loosely as I wouldn't call this a detective story. All in all it wasn't terrible despite the content being unpleasant. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
More...