lesliearasmussenauthor's review
4.0
The Other Americans was a really interesting read. Partly about family, and partly about immigrants and partly a mystery. It was a fast read, yet kept me engaged trying to figure out who actually caused the hit and run and what their motive was. Laila does a great job of telling the story, and writing in different voices, so you remember the characters long after you close the book. I would recommend it.
katrin36's review
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mazza57's review
4.0
This book starts off as the search for the driver of a hit and run in a quiet American town. However, it turns into something much more than this as the victim, his family and others involved tell their story. It has a depth that is almost all within the bare narrative that the characters relate and which examines racism of creed and colour in an innovative way that stays in the memory of the reader. The solving of the crime is, in some ways almost incidental to the unravelling of the events. There is nothing in this book of the cliff hanger variety and yet it is a book that you cannot put down. Beautifully told it covers many human emotions and describes grief and love as it is lived.
Laila Lalami is definitely an author i will read again
Laila Lalami is definitely an author i will read again
jjwhicker's review
2.0
This was easily the most boring book I’ve ever read. I went in thinking this was a compelling mystery, but it was no such thing. It was hardly a mystery at all. There was nothing to drive the curiosity. It was story more built around the life and drama of what felt like 20 different characters, with the “mystery” hardly sitting on the horizon of the plot. This book may resonate with many, but this reader was anxious to just be done and move on.
beatrice_k's review
1.0
An interesting premise that falls apart due to wooden characters and a shallow investigation of race and belonging in America. So much potential wasted in this poorly plotted book which is filled with irrelevant information and unearned and hollow conclusions. I truly mourn the time I spent reading this. What a waste!
erinmcav's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, War, and Death
Moderate: Racial slurs, Car accident, and Alcoholism
wendoxford's review against another edition
A hit and run of a long-standing Moroccan entrepreneur immigrant is at the centre of this brilliant novel with multi-character perspectives on the ripples that this death causes. What is it to be American, what is it to be "other" both for second generations, stateside born children of immigrants and the fear haunting newer settlers. Is this an accident or a hate crime?
The strength of the different narratives is that it continually forces the reader to look at every side of how we have ended up at this moment, what has gone before informing what follows. The first person voice from such a wide range of the players of the piece enable the reader to be a priest at the confessional as scapegoats are tossed about.
The legacy of America's military across the world and the fallout for its veterans adds yet another dimension to "other Americans". A different national damage. This element, for me echoed in both the style and content of "Pieces of Me" by Natalie Hart which I also found haunting.
Deftly crafted by conflicting loyalties and a huge sense of place the "fury and fire" of the Mojave desert.
The strength of the different narratives is that it continually forces the reader to look at every side of how we have ended up at this moment, what has gone before informing what follows. The first person voice from such a wide range of the players of the piece enable the reader to be a priest at the confessional as scapegoats are tossed about.
The legacy of America's military across the world and the fallout for its veterans adds yet another dimension to "other Americans". A different national damage. This element, for me echoed in both the style and content of "Pieces of Me" by Natalie Hart which I also found haunting.
Deftly crafted by conflicting loyalties and a huge sense of place the "fury and fire" of the Mojave desert.
daniellabanilla's review
2.0
This felt like a tired attempt at multinarration, and after reading Malibu Rising I felt it just couldn't compare. The characters all thought in the same voice and style, and I predicted the ending about halfway into the book. We get little to no resolution for the sister (Salma), and I felt no sense of urgency, even when "all is revealed" ~20 pages from the end.
I think the hardest part for me was the narration. It wasn't distinct enough, felt very "slice of life" (an odd tone for what's essentially a murder mystery), and the tangential storytelling that was meant to be character development fell flat for me. I ended up skimming a good amount and feel like I got everything out of the story that I could.
My ratings--
5 star = Delivered more than I expected; will read again, think about often, probably read fanfiction, and recommend widely
4 star= Delivered exactly what I expected; will read again at some point, will recommend with a hedge of some kind ("It's... cute! It's... monster romance!")
3 star= This was fine. I wouldn't read it again. Might recommend based on if a friend likes similar books.
2 star= It was a slog to finish this but I felt like I had to. A sub-par execution of the story
1 star= I actively disliked the plot, the characters, and will be donating the book ASAP.
I think the hardest part for me was the narration. It wasn't distinct enough, felt very "slice of life" (an odd tone for what's essentially a murder mystery), and the tangential storytelling that was meant to be character development fell flat for me. I ended up skimming a good amount and feel like I got everything out of the story that I could.
My ratings--
5 star = Delivered more than I expected; will read again, think about often, probably read fanfiction, and recommend widely
4 star= Delivered exactly what I expected; will read again at some point, will recommend with a hedge of some kind ("It's... cute! It's... monster romance!")
3 star= This was fine. I wouldn't read it again. Might recommend based on if a friend likes similar books.
2 star= It was a slog to finish this but I felt like I had to. A sub-par execution of the story
1 star= I actively disliked the plot, the characters, and will be donating the book ASAP.