writingwwolves's review
4.0
I’m so unsure of what to say about this book as it’s just so different to what I usually read. There was a very long build up & quite a short ending, but the whole thing was incredibly captivating & it’s a book that’s left me numb. In the Company of Strangers covers a lot of issues; love, class, terrorism, religion, family, domestic abuse & probably a few others that I can’t name right now, so it’s hard to pinpoint what it was really about. What I can say is that I was interested in this book from the first few chapters & my interest multiplied with each page turn - it was a book that enveloped me & one I read for hours at a time.
⚠️ This book contains fatphobic views, sexism, classism, death, bomb scenes/gun shootings & the medical aftermath, discussions of terrorism, scenes of domestic violence, homophobia & other related scenes that could cause upset and/or offence ⚠️
I was sent this book to review as part of a blog tour organised by Rachel’s Random Resources.
Extended Review: https://wp.me/p8MbIo-2SV
⚠️ This book contains fatphobic views, sexism, classism, death, bomb scenes/gun shootings & the medical aftermath, discussions of terrorism, scenes of domestic violence, homophobia & other related scenes that could cause upset and/or offence ⚠️
I was sent this book to review as part of a blog tour organised by Rachel’s Random Resources.
Extended Review: https://wp.me/p8MbIo-2SV
nashwa017's review
This is a big, fat DNF at page 50.
Usually, when I don't finish a book, I don't rate it but anything I can do to lower the collective rating of this book, I will do.
This is really one of the worst books I've picked up this entire year. It's an incredibly uninformed, biased and poorly researched. It's so clear that the author is male and doesn't know how women think, and talk and I did wonder at some point if we had ever spoken to a woman before in this life.
In 50 pages, the author peddled a pretty misogynistic mindset where he talked about women's bodies, unnecessarily sexualising women and writing about "heaving bosoms" in a scene where a woman is buying a shawl. He wrote about a woman who was groped and seemingly enjoyed it. He wrote about very ageist things, where a woman's only concern is how old she is.
I have a lot to say, every page is problematic. Save your time and money and skip this one.
Usually, when I don't finish a book, I don't rate it but anything I can do to lower the collective rating of this book, I will do.
This is really one of the worst books I've picked up this entire year. It's an incredibly uninformed, biased and poorly researched. It's so clear that the author is male and doesn't know how women think, and talk and I did wonder at some point if we had ever spoken to a woman before in this life.
In 50 pages, the author peddled a pretty misogynistic mindset where he talked about women's bodies, unnecessarily sexualising women and writing about "heaving bosoms" in a scene where a woman is buying a shawl. He wrote about a woman who was groped and seemingly enjoyed it. He wrote about very ageist things, where a woman's only concern is how old she is.
I have a lot to say, every page is problematic. Save your time and money and skip this one.
tonyfrobisher's review
5.0
A book that takes your through the intricate layers of Pakistani and Lahore in particular. Awais Khan writes with a wonderfully descriptive, evocative and sensory style, but also delivers a powerful narrative, reflecting the complexity and diversity of Pakistan; it's beauty and wealth, it's fervent extremists and privileged elites. Against such a rich and colourful background, Awais Khan weaves a story of relationships - encapsulating longing, abandonment, love, jealousy, fulfilment and desire.
A beautiful book, and a beautifully written debut. I can not recommend reading In The Company Of Strangers highly enough.
A beautiful book, and a beautifully written debut. I can not recommend reading In The Company Of Strangers highly enough.
iphigenie72's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kdominey's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zooloo1983's review against another edition
4.0
I am not sure how to start this review or where to start this review. Well one thing for sure, is the audiobook was just simply amazing. I thought that Esh Alladi’s narration was just pure magic. He bought Awais’ words alive, his narration, the different accents for the different characters were fab, he made it so much more enjoyable listening to his voice.
I did not know what to expect when I started In the Company of Strangers, I did not expect that I would grow so attached to Ali and Mona and worry what will happen to them and I did worry. In the final chapters, I had my heart in my throat and I was incredibly sad, I can’t say why or what because I don’t want to ruin it for anyone but all you need to know was it made me sad.
I really don’t know how to review this, it is still too raw for me. It is a moving story of a woman in the constraints of her marriage, her social status, her world is rocked when the bombings start. She meets Ali, he is young and full of life but he too has his own sufferings. When we reach the full circle, it is an emotive and powerful circle.
You know when you pick this book up from the opening pages, it isn’t just about the thrill or the romance, there is so much more. The luscious backdrops of Mira’s parties, they are scandalous and colourful, are backdropped against the stark and coldness of the terrorism lurking just on the peripheral, a constant reminder of foreboding.
It really is hard to talk about the book because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. This is the book that opens with a shocking scene and pulls you in. There we meet and care about two people and these two people will stay with me. I think what I can say is that it is unfair. Gah, but I can’t even explain why I think it is unfair, it wrenched at my heart, pulled them tight and I felt that loss. I know I know I have repeated myself!
This is a beautiful debut and I will be keeping my eye out for more by Awais.
I did not know what to expect when I started In the Company of Strangers, I did not expect that I would grow so attached to Ali and Mona and worry what will happen to them and I did worry. In the final chapters, I had my heart in my throat and I was incredibly sad, I can’t say why or what because I don’t want to ruin it for anyone but all you need to know was it made me sad.
I really don’t know how to review this, it is still too raw for me. It is a moving story of a woman in the constraints of her marriage, her social status, her world is rocked when the bombings start. She meets Ali, he is young and full of life but he too has his own sufferings. When we reach the full circle, it is an emotive and powerful circle.
You know when you pick this book up from the opening pages, it isn’t just about the thrill or the romance, there is so much more. The luscious backdrops of Mira’s parties, they are scandalous and colourful, are backdropped against the stark and coldness of the terrorism lurking just on the peripheral, a constant reminder of foreboding.
It really is hard to talk about the book because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. This is the book that opens with a shocking scene and pulls you in. There we meet and care about two people and these two people will stay with me. I think what I can say is that it is unfair. Gah, but I can’t even explain why I think it is unfair, it wrenched at my heart, pulled them tight and I felt that loss. I know I know I have repeated myself!
This is a beautiful debut and I will be keeping my eye out for more by Awais.
hiranazsulehri's review against another edition
5.0
Just finished the book, not in a state to review but here my 5 stars say it all
sarah_faichney's review against another edition
5.0
A stunning debut, "In The Company Of Strangers" encompasses many themes including the social mores of Lahori high society, the fashion industry (and modeling in particular), terrorism and radicalisation, obligation and love. Awais Khan's writing brings Lahore to life with unflinching honesty and authenticity, beautifully illustrating the difference between those who have and those who have not. The book confirms (with a great deal of humour) that spiteful, bitchy women are the same the world over. There are lots of cultural references throughout, which I particularly enjoyed. Some of the story makes for difficult reading, for example we are shown the many ways in which domestic violence is normalised and accepted. There are also some sub-themes at play including fractured friendships, drug abuse and prostitution. I'm really keen not to give spoilers as I didn't know anything about the book when I read it and I felt this enhanced the experience for me. There were a couple of expletives uttered as some of the plot points came to light! Khan is a masterful storyteller, skilfully capturing the heat, dust and claustrophobia of the city. I thought that the plot came together extremely well. Overall it was a compulsive and truly satisfying read which ran me through the gamut of emotions. As a final point I would like to thank Awais Khan for writing middle-aged women as real people with thoughts, feelings and desires when so often we are cast aside or left unseen.
booksanddregs's review against another edition
4.0
Mona, one of the elites lives in the posh areas of Lahore, Pakistan with her husband Bilal. The two married for twenty years still struggle to find solace in each other. Mona’s dominant and surprisingly misogynist mother-in-law detests her, leaving Mona no one but herself for company. She has everything a woman can long for, caring friends, a lavish home, trail of servants and a high social status. But, a broken marriage haunts her. She yearns for her husband’s love, his care, his affection. Exasperated of the married life where she’s insulted, belittled, physically and sexually abused by her husband she wants out. Freedom seems close by when she ends up locking eyes with a young attractive model at a fashion show.
•
Ali, emotionally wounded in his late-twenties, emerges as the new hot gossip as he returns to a profession he turned his back on long ago; modeling. With his charismatic personality he attracts the attention of a broken woman years older than him and finds himself desperately longing for her. After more than a few unexpected encounters he lets his guard down and pursues her. Blinded by treacherous love all he sees is the way she makes him feel when she’s around him.
•
Breaking the shackles of religion and society the two find themselves falling for each other igniting a wave of heated romance, but they’ve to keep their love a perilous secret. But things take an impromptu path when Ali accidentally gets involved with a terrorist group led by Mir Rabiullah who puts up a facade of being a pious God fearing man. When Ali’s brother Hussain had disastrously lost a leg in a bomb blast Mir had offered to pay for his prosthetic leg and thus he remains in Mir’s debt. Naive Ali, too late to judge Mir’s intentions finds himself grounded amidst bombs and guns. But when he’s given a choice to choose between his family and Mona he does what none expected him to do.
•
At first the book was a little hard to get into for me, but as it proceeded it grew on my and I found myself enjoying it, I loved all the characters, how detailed and precise they were. Khan did a great job of meeting all the strewn ends and painting a beautiful picture of each character. The writing was so easy to comprehend, it was a perfect balance of plot progression and descriptive analysis. For a debut it was grasping and totally captivating!!
•
Ali, emotionally wounded in his late-twenties, emerges as the new hot gossip as he returns to a profession he turned his back on long ago; modeling. With his charismatic personality he attracts the attention of a broken woman years older than him and finds himself desperately longing for her. After more than a few unexpected encounters he lets his guard down and pursues her. Blinded by treacherous love all he sees is the way she makes him feel when she’s around him.
•
Breaking the shackles of religion and society the two find themselves falling for each other igniting a wave of heated romance, but they’ve to keep their love a perilous secret. But things take an impromptu path when Ali accidentally gets involved with a terrorist group led by Mir Rabiullah who puts up a facade of being a pious God fearing man. When Ali’s brother Hussain had disastrously lost a leg in a bomb blast Mir had offered to pay for his prosthetic leg and thus he remains in Mir’s debt. Naive Ali, too late to judge Mir’s intentions finds himself grounded amidst bombs and guns. But when he’s given a choice to choose between his family and Mona he does what none expected him to do.
•
At first the book was a little hard to get into for me, but as it proceeded it grew on my and I found myself enjoying it, I loved all the characters, how detailed and precise they were. Khan did a great job of meeting all the strewn ends and painting a beautiful picture of each character. The writing was so easy to comprehend, it was a perfect balance of plot progression and descriptive analysis. For a debut it was grasping and totally captivating!!
nymeria_reads's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book definitely had some good parts but overall, it failed to leave the impact that it hinted and promised to. It was all just kind of there, nothing really concluded properly and even the way it played out didn't make much sense beyond being dramatic and cliche.