fionawes's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Islamophobia, Death, Death of parent, and War
deanchaudhri's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Grief, Islamophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Hate crime, Misogyny, War, Torture, and Death of parent
astridmalmhester's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Torture, Islamophobia, Racism, War, Death, Murder, Violence, Grief, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny
noahsingh's review
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Death, Torture, Grief, Islamophobia, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Colonisation, Death of parent, Murder, War, Deportation, Misogyny, Police brutality, Abandonment, and Suicide
Minor: Child death
dancefever's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Death, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Gun violence, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Trafficking, War, and Murder
spinesinaline's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Even knowing that going in, it took me an embarrassing long time to pick up on how the story is connected (I really need to reread the play). But once I did, I was blown away, and the way the story progresses becomes a bit easier to stomach because it echoes the original. I do not disagree with those who are angry and disagree with the ending, though.
I think knowing that it’s a retelling, and knowing the source material, does help to piece this story together, particularly in reference to the above. The main antagonist in Shamsie’s story echoes the ‘villain’ of Antigone but with the context of the modernized story, it is a bit awkward that one man comes to stand for all of Islamophobia when we as readers know it’s not that simple to pin down to one person.
My final thoughts on this one were that it was depressing and infuriating and still an incredible retelling. I still want to seek out more reviews by Muslim readers as the book stirs up a lot of Islamophobia – portrayed as wrong but still a constant throughout the story. It’s certainly not a hopeful picture for Muslim communities as so much of the content is focused on the threat of jihadist movements and anti-Muslim sentiments in government so I wouldn’t be surprised if some choose not to pick this one up at all.
Graphic: Grief, Islamophobia, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Religious bigotry, Torture, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexism, Sexual content, and War
kiahsbooks's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Islamophobia and War
Moderate: Death of parent