Reviews with content warning for War - Exit West

Reviews tagging 'War'

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid

55 reviews

emvdw's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I read this as the atrocious situation in Gaza was evolving and it was very sobering and made it quite a hard read for me. Not because of the book itself, but the context made it hard to get through. Part of the message of the book, of course, is that this context is happening all the time, all over, so I shouldn't have a hard time reading this book NOW as opposed to any other time, but it is undeniable that the news cycle has an effect on what is on the forefront of your mind.

I really liked this book. It is written in a very peculiar way, and it feels a bit detached sometimes. This is what held me back from giving it a full 5 stars, because I didn't feel fully connected to the characters. It's a bit hard to describe, but I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, but challenging and interesting read.

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knkoch's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

Great proof that sci-fi doesn't have to be elaborate or ornate to make a deep impact. In this case, one seemingly small sci-fi element has an immensely freeing effect, providing new insight into the world we currently live in, and the one we may not be far from. I found this a very thoughtful commentary on borders, the global North and South, inequity, and, crucially, what positive forms of new world order could be possible. This reminded me of Sea of Tranquility and Parable of the Sower.

I wasn't as drawn in by the two central characters of this story as I wished; I found the ideas more interesting and developed. But the relationship that developed was quite tender and gentle, jarring when interrupted by violence as the plot progressed.

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peachani's review

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emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

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theliteraryhooker's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A moving story that felt very introspective while also commenting on our world and society as a whole. Heartbreaking yet hopeful in equal measure. I felt the book dragged a bit in the middle which I think the slower pace in that sec ion may have been intentional given the context of the book but it still pulled my attention out of the story a bit.

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seraphimgt's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad medium-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

4.75

Beautiful prose and interesting themes to reflect on

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lanosmith5's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

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suzsta's review against another edition

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reflective medium-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? No

3.25

Saeed and Nadia are refugees from an unnamed country and an unnamed conflict; they, and millions of others, find their escape when a series of portal doors to other countries begin springing up out of nowhere, leading them on a journey through countries as they search for home. A quiet meditation on the nature of borders, community, and the pressures a relationship endures under such circumstances.

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