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torridgambit's review against another edition
3.0
Did I enjoy this book? No not in the least. However it doesn't feel like a book that's meant to be enjoyed. You are meant to read it like poetry and just feel the feelings of moments and statements. Those feelings, that roller coaster of emotions is the goal of the author (I presume). It's not written badly or a ridiculous subject so I cannot give it a low rating but I cannot give it a high rating when I thoroughly didn't enjoy it
thebonsaibook's review against another edition
5.0
Symbolism meets masterful writing style in a novel that should be considered a modern classic.
The author presents so many social and cultural themes all under the big umbrella of political and religious lobbying, there's a law and a personality to represent it and no one is to question it, those who do are the anomaly. That's the book in a nutshell, but really it's more complex than that with a set of characters on opposite sides and with a protagonist and antagonist who both meet the same fate.
The novel is a heavy load of emotions and it's only natural due to the topics discussed such as mutilation and public executions or even betrayal and domestic abuse, it's not a leisure novel, it's here to make us question the moral values of societies and the roots of cultural practices.
It left me wanting more and it's a great thought provoking book that could open debates on religious hypocrisy, political manipulation and patriarchy.
The author presents so many social and cultural themes all under the big umbrella of political and religious lobbying, there's a law and a personality to represent it and no one is to question it, those who do are the anomaly. That's the book in a nutshell, but really it's more complex than that with a set of characters on opposite sides and with a protagonist and antagonist who both meet the same fate.
The novel is a heavy load of emotions and it's only natural due to the topics discussed such as mutilation and public executions or even betrayal and domestic abuse, it's not a leisure novel, it's here to make us question the moral values of societies and the roots of cultural practices.
It left me wanting more and it's a great thought provoking book that could open debates on religious hypocrisy, political manipulation and patriarchy.
haifa64712's review against another edition
2.0
لو كتبت كمجموعه مقالات لكان افضل
لاتبت للروايه باي صله الحبكه والسرد وقفت موقف المتفرج بينما الافكار المباشره جدا تصدرت الكتاب
النجمتين لجرأه الطرح وللعنوان
لاتبت للروايه باي صله الحبكه والسرد وقفت موقف المتفرج بينما الافكار المباشره جدا تصدرت الكتاب
النجمتين لجرأه الطرح وللعنوان
aish_dols's review against another edition
3.0
'The Fall Of The Imam' is told back and forth, like memory in poetic waves. I had this feeling of opening the doors of so many characters' memories
not knowing which door I'd open, the past, the present or even the future. The details of occurrences were in transitions and imperative parts were skipped only to feed the reader with it later.
°
°
It was written in Arabic in 1987 but translated to English, & the translator did a swell job. The flow was confusing at several points maybe because of the interwoven multiple narrators/narrative style. First person into third, straight up in your face, unfiltered.
°
°
°
Apart from the desperation in the quest for power and pleasure of both this world and the next which led to deep religious hypocrisy and proclaimed self righteousness, from the objectification, and debasement of women which led them to suffer heavily in the hands of tyranny, there was this blind followership as most turned the Imam into God himself and actually worshipped him and his ways.
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TFOTI screams for justice, women & children's rights and equity, debunks abuse and domestic violence as well as extremism in religion & I'm all for that but
I disagree to some characters' perception about what true freedom meant and I believe it was due to their dire situations that they had to reason that way. °
°
°
In several parts of the book, the interpretation of the Quran and sunnah was also manipulated to fit the hypocritical ways of the religious leaders. But even in the hearts of the 'innocent' it wasn't really understood because their leaders had bent interpretation to them so they were misguided at several points.
°
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°
Knowledge seeking can never be overemphasized. We should learn about our religion from the right sources, the Qur'an & sunnah and not let anyone deceive us. Righteousness isn't in actions done for the world to see but it is what's truly in our hearts. Also being righteous & religious can be different. We should learn from the examples of the companions of the prophet Muhammad SAW.
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Impressive book because it was written in 1987 but we still face issues like this.
°
°
°
Thank you Saqi Books for sending me an e-copy.
not knowing which door I'd open, the past, the present or even the future. The details of occurrences were in transitions and imperative parts were skipped only to feed the reader with it later.
°
°
It was written in Arabic in 1987 but translated to English, & the translator did a swell job. The flow was confusing at several points maybe because of the interwoven multiple narrators/narrative style. First person into third, straight up in your face, unfiltered.
°
°
°
Apart from the desperation in the quest for power and pleasure of both this world and the next which led to deep religious hypocrisy and proclaimed self righteousness, from the objectification, and debasement of women which led them to suffer heavily in the hands of tyranny, there was this blind followership as most turned the Imam into God himself and actually worshipped him and his ways.
°
°
°
TFOTI screams for justice, women & children's rights and equity, debunks abuse and domestic violence as well as extremism in religion & I'm all for that but
I disagree to some characters' perception about what true freedom meant and I believe it was due to their dire situations that they had to reason that way. °
°
°
In several parts of the book, the interpretation of the Quran and sunnah was also manipulated to fit the hypocritical ways of the religious leaders. But even in the hearts of the 'innocent' it wasn't really understood because their leaders had bent interpretation to them so they were misguided at several points.
°
°
°
Knowledge seeking can never be overemphasized. We should learn about our religion from the right sources, the Qur'an & sunnah and not let anyone deceive us. Righteousness isn't in actions done for the world to see but it is what's truly in our hearts. Also being righteous & religious can be different. We should learn from the examples of the companions of the prophet Muhammad SAW.
°
°
°
Impressive book because it was written in 1987 but we still face issues like this.
°
°
°
Thank you Saqi Books for sending me an e-copy.
indahmarwan's review against another edition
3.0
There is always a problem in reading a piece in its translated languages. Yet I did enjoyed reading this piece. It focuses on the corruption of the imam, the highest clerics and the highest authority. How religion is used as a camouflage of evil and how women are seen in traditional religious society with the negative influence of the imam to it, is really a critique for Islamic society. Nawal el-Shaadawy tries to bring the facts hidden in Islamic society and at the same time bring out the feminist voice in her thoughts, criticising her own religious society.
keeley_allen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.25
abbie_'s review against another edition
It’s not bad, there are some great passages! But it’s quite opaque and confusing, and it’s making me not want to sit down and read so it’s time to move on
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