becomingmari's review against another edition
5.0
The best book I've read in the past few years. Stunning. Beautiful. Haunting. Read it!!
carls_jr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ambzetelmo's review against another edition
4.0
Premise: cool. Descriptions: beautiful. Run-on sentences: not my vibe. I read this book on my phone and sometimes a sentence would be the whole page. It drove me nuts. Stream of consciousness writing is not for me, I suppose. It felt like the second half of the book went by too fast, glazing over lots of details and events that could have been expanded. Otherwise, an easy read, enjoyable story.
nick_jenkins's review against another edition
4.0
I felt Hamid lost focus as the book moved along. The magical realism was neither slight enough to be gracefully jolting nor substantial enough robe convincing as world-building.
miranda_is_currently_reading's review against another edition
4.0
This book reminded me a little of Khaled Husseini. A little of Kurt Vonnegut.
The portrait it paints of a war-torn country from the Middle East-at least I assume this is where it begins, the exact location is never given-is one that illustrates the subtle nature of such things, primarily when what was once your home can quickly transform into a foreign, dangerous land.
The unease and backlash the characters face upon being transported into foreign, Western lands is reminiscent of the discrimination and protests against accepting refugees today. Consequently, the plight of these refugees becomes much sympathetic, as the book explores the motives and ramifications of their migration through their POV.
The romance between Nadia and Saeed which progresses throughout the book is one of my favorites I have ever read about-not to mention the most real. It shows that it is okay to grow apart from someone. It also shows the manner in which we lean on each other for strength in times of distress.
The portrait it paints of a war-torn country from the Middle East-at least I assume this is where it begins, the exact location is never given-is one that illustrates the subtle nature of such things, primarily when what was once your home can quickly transform into a foreign, dangerous land.
The unease and backlash the characters face upon being transported into foreign, Western lands is reminiscent of the discrimination and protests against accepting refugees today. Consequently, the plight of these refugees becomes much sympathetic, as the book explores the motives and ramifications of their migration through their POV.
The romance between Nadia and Saeed which progresses throughout the book is one of my favorites I have ever read about-not to mention the most real. It shows that it is okay to grow apart from someone. It also shows the manner in which we lean on each other for strength in times of distress.
ajfish's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
Good book and story but the writing style is a little too ambiguous for my preferences and I felt like the short nature of the book took away from possible character development.
spitlera's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
colourmeread's review against another edition
4.0
Heartfelt and beautifully written. This was something special.