lizzieh96's review against another edition
5.0
Just yes. Antigone is great, and I think I like this modern adaptation even more. I loved each character’s separate perspectives and the way they built on each other. The emotions are palpable and the stakes are real. I found sympathy for all the characters in ways I hadn’t expected. Highly recommend.
*the one problem I faced was the intense/explicit sex scene, so fair warning there for people like me who don’t find such depictions okay.
*the one problem I faced was the intense/explicit sex scene, so fair warning there for people like me who don’t find such depictions okay.
delaviz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
theredheadbaker's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
frecklefacelovesbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
andrew61's review against another edition
4.0
There is a lot to like in this book and principally is the writers decision to write about subjects that stir a visceral emotional response at these uncertain times. the two dominating questions are who can identify themselves as British and why a young man would leave his family behind to fight for Isis.
The structure of the book follows the story of twins Aneeka and Parvaz British born of Pakistani parentage . Their father is a former jihadist who fought in Bosnia and Parvaz is quickly noticed as someone vulnerable to radicalisation and recruited into an Isis troop which quickly loses its attraction when confronted with the brutalities he experiences. Isma is their older sister who in the opening chapter is at university in America where she meets the handsome co British student Eamon and is attracted to him. Eamon likes Isma but when he sees a photo of Aneeka he is more interested in her and visits Aneeka on his return to London. Eamon is however the son of Karamat a Conservative home secretary of Pakistani origin who buries his heritage to shout with vitriolic fervour that British nationals who leave to fight abroad should lose their citizenship. The love story of Aneeka and Eamon becomes the story of tabloids and sends shock waves through society and the families. Each chapter allows these individuals to tell their story and move the narrative to the finale in what is a mirror of the ancient Greek Antigone saga.
This book therefore did not shirk from difficult issues and I enjoyed having the ideas of nationalism and radicalism explored within what was a sensitive narrative. I did however feel that certain chracters lacked depth particularly Eamon , and because the crucial ending and change in aneeka is narrated by Karamat I felt I lost the emotional impact of the finale. That chapter however was well done as we delve into the reasoning behind Karamats's decision making and his treatment of family with a memorable scene between him and Isma. Similarly Isma after a opening chapter becomes a minor player until the end.
That said I think the criticisms are minor and that as a page turning book that explored issues that are so current it was a good read and that's why it was 4*.
The structure of the book follows the story of twins Aneeka and Parvaz British born of Pakistani parentage . Their father is a former jihadist who fought in Bosnia and Parvaz is quickly noticed as someone vulnerable to radicalisation and recruited into an Isis troop which quickly loses its attraction when confronted with the brutalities he experiences. Isma is their older sister who in the opening chapter is at university in America where she meets the handsome co British student Eamon and is attracted to him. Eamon likes Isma but when he sees a photo of Aneeka he is more interested in her and visits Aneeka on his return to London. Eamon is however the son of Karamat a Conservative home secretary of Pakistani origin who buries his heritage to shout with vitriolic fervour that British nationals who leave to fight abroad should lose their citizenship. The love story of Aneeka and Eamon becomes the story of tabloids and sends shock waves through society and the families. Each chapter allows these individuals to tell their story and move the narrative to the finale in what is a mirror of the ancient Greek Antigone saga.
This book therefore did not shirk from difficult issues and I enjoyed having the ideas of nationalism and radicalism explored within what was a sensitive narrative. I did however feel that certain chracters lacked depth particularly Eamon , and because the crucial ending and change in aneeka is narrated by Karamat I felt I lost the emotional impact of the finale. That chapter however was well done as we delve into the reasoning behind Karamats's decision making and his treatment of family with a memorable scene between him and Isma. Similarly Isma after a opening chapter becomes a minor player until the end.
That said I think the criticisms are minor and that as a page turning book that explored issues that are so current it was a good read and that's why it was 4*.
michaela_cooney's review against another edition
5.0
In society, the jihadist is the enemy whether he was born in Syria or your neck of the woods. Kamila Shamsie changes Parvaiz Pasha from a terrorist to a terrified and tricked 19 year old while showing the discrimination him and his family endure and the fight to bring him home. This story tackles critical issues like discrimination and the cycle it enforces of the radicalization of westerns and has you crying for the Pashas.
emallovesreading's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
demottar's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not sure I know how to talk about Home Fire in an intelligent way yet, because I'm still very bowled over by Kamila Shamshie's magnificent feat. There is so much intricacy in her prose, so much humanity in her characters, and so much suspense in her plot that it was extremely difficult to not read this all in one sitting.
Home Fire is an affecting look at how grief, loneliness, belonging, and forgiveness play monumental roles in the often devastating reality of global politics. I loved every single moment of this book.
“Grief was what you owed the dead for the necessary crime of living on without them.”
“Everything else you can live around, but not death. Death you have to live through.”
“Contempt, disdain, scorn: these emotions were stops along a closed loop that originated and terminated in a sense of superiority.”
Home Fire is an affecting look at how grief, loneliness, belonging, and forgiveness play monumental roles in the often devastating reality of global politics. I loved every single moment of this book.
“Grief was what you owed the dead for the necessary crime of living on without them.”
“Everything else you can live around, but not death. Death you have to live through.”
“Contempt, disdain, scorn: these emotions were stops along a closed loop that originated and terminated in a sense of superiority.”