Reviews

The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani

stacyheperi's review against another edition

4.0

I wanted to learn more about the Partition and this YA novel seemed like a good place to start. So interesting and also heartbreaking to read about it through a child’s eyes. Definitely reading this to my boys when they get older.

abbychandos's review against another edition

adventurous challenging inspiring relaxing 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

5.0

marinarasara's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-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? No

2.0

notesonbookmarks's review against another edition

4.0

This was an interesting story but failed to suck me in (other than the descriptions of food, which decreased rapidly anit 20% od the way in). It took me much longer to read this than i expected and I kept setting out aside. I'm hesitant to say whether I would have felt the same had the world been in a different "place" than it is right now.

readindigo's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 good but not the most memorable. However I really enjoyed reading about this time period. I will have to try to find more books on this topic

lgiunta's review against another edition

challenging sad medium-paced

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

3.0

jayoder16's review against another edition

5.0

The ponderings of a young girl and her family in a world shattered and torn apart is beautifully portrayed in this historical fiction for young readers. I find beauty in written word and this book was no exception as a Hindu twelve year old living in Northwest India tries to make sense of and survive as she, her brother, grandmother, and father are forced to move to India as the country separates into Muslim Pakistan and Hindu India. great read for people from all over the world.

minty's review against another edition

2.0

This feels like a book you would only read in school, and you'd find it to be mostly boring but short enough, and you'd learn some things you probably didn't know. But for pleasure, this was a slog, even with its incredibly short runtime! The girl is far too mature a writer for her age, and it just didn't feel real. It felt like a mouthpiece for the history.

kiperoo's review against another edition

5.0

I recently read (and loved) AHIMSA, and THE NIGHT DIARY was a perfect follow-up. Nisha's story is so moving and I love how it's told to her deceased mother in diary entries. Her fictional tale is such a great way to learn this dark part of history.

juliterario's review against another edition

3.0

Hace mucho que tengo este libro en la mira, pero lo estaba dejando en mi TBR una y otra vez sin leerlo. No fue hasta que lo vi como finalista para los Goodreads Choice Awards de este año que tomé la iniciativa de leerlo. Ahora, debo decir que me siento muy decepcionada porque esto no es lo que esperaba leer.

“It feels scary to talk, because once the words are out, you can’t put them back in. But if you write words and they don’t come out the way you want them to, you can erase them and start over.”

The Night Diary de Veera Hiranandani toma lugar en India en 1947, tras la independencia en India de Gran Bretaña, donde se separan Pakistán e India, creando así tensiones entre hindúesy musulmanes. Nisha, la autora de este "diario de la noche", es mitad musulmana y mitad hindú, y no sabe a dónde pertenece o qué lugar es aquel al que puede llamar "hogar". Esta es la historia de un viaje, de la independencia y de pertenecer, y saben lo mucho que adoro este tipo de cosas. Así por lo que les cuento, esto suena como algo que sin duda yo amaría, sobre todo porque me interesa muchísimo la Hisoria en general y leer este tipo de libros que nos proporcionan un telescopio para ver el pasado. Por este tipo de razones, The Night Diary fue un libro que disfruté muchísimo, además de aprender, pensar y reflexionar más allá de amar la lectura en sí.

“Kazi tells me stories about you once in a while. I hardly ask him to tell me about you, though, because I’m afraid that the stories might run out. I want to save them, like a treat.”

¿Por qué las 3 estrellas entonces? Es el trabajo de Veera Hiranandani lo que no terminó de convencerme. La novela está escrita en forma de cartas como en un diario íntimo, y la narración en sí no me pareció muy estimulante o atrapante que digamos. Siento que hubieron muchas cosas que dejaron demasiado que desear en The Night Diary y podría haber sido mil veces mejor. Ahora, el trabajo de la autora es el trabajo de la autora, y no tengo derecho a decirle cómo lo habría hecho mejor o cómo su libro no me hubiera decepcionado tanto. Así que dejémoslo ahí.

“It took a lot of energy to ask that question. I wished he had answered it. I don’t know when I’ll be able to ask it again.”

A pesar de que esta lectura me falló en más de un aspecto, quiero decir que la disfruté muchísimo y que se las recomiendo si les llama la atención. Es una historia que proporciona una perspectiva sumamente interesante, valiosa y preciada para llegar a conocer. Y son este tipo de historias, este tipo de relatos sobre el mundo y estás recopilaciones de verdades, mentiras y acontecimientos las que me llenan con una eterna curiosidad de la que siempre les cuento. Y sin duda amé leer esto, aún cuando me sentí decepcionada. Porque lo que me llevo de esta lectura vale oro para mí y la voy a atesorar de principio a fin.

“I needed all the feelings to stop boiling like a pot of dal and be cool enough for me to taste them.”