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lizzield's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
vireogirl's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.25
Very tangled in the nitty gritty of not belonging.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
boogiebeez's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
CRYING 😭
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying and Sexual content
jenna_justi2004's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Beautifully written
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Classism
nenya's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.75
I borrowed this book from my english teacher when we discussed colonialism in class and she recommended it - and regarding that topic, it definitely fulfilled my expectations. Since neither I, nor my ancestors have been colonized or have migrated somewhere, I am in no position to judge the authenticity of the plot and characters but I must say, it felt very true and accurate to me. It gives excellent and thoroughly elaborated insights into different perspectives of Indian immigrants as well as their children growing up in America and their struggles with balancing the two different cultures.
However, the story telling sometimes left me a bit bored - generally speaking it was well written but what bugged me was how when the plot got a bit mysterious and anticipation was being built up, the chapters tended to end in a small cliffhanger being followed by a time jump in the new chapter which very passively explained the past events/the outcome of the cliffhanger. This kind of took some of the suspense out of the story telling in my opinion and was a bit unsatisfying at times.
Yet, it is most definitely a good book and I would totally recommend it.
However, the story telling sometimes left me a bit bored - generally speaking it was well written but what bugged me was how when the plot got a bit mysterious and anticipation was being built up, the chapters tended to end in a small cliffhanger being followed by a time jump in the new chapter which very passively explained the past events/the outcome of the cliffhanger. This kind of took some of the suspense out of the story telling in my opinion and was a bit unsatisfying at times.
Yet, it is most definitely a good book and I would totally recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Grief, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Moderate: Sexual content and Abandonment
juby_uwu's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
This book was definitely ahead of its time. Lahiri really authentically captures the experience of simply anyone who has heritage in one country, but has been brought up in another. All the questions that Nikhil asks, the emotions he feels had definitely crossed me, especially during childhood. Its really sad that many of us deeply relate to this experience, but atleast there's a book to shed light on it.
----------------------------
However, there are some moments when describing Nikhil's love interests where the appearance is objectified, the word "suggestively" shows up many a time.
----------------------------
However, there are some moments when describing Nikhil's love interests where the appearance is objectified, the word "suggestively" shows up many a time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexual content
emersonseyeball's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia
Deals a lot with internalized racismdebookgeek's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Transphobia
words_and_coffee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
silver_valkyrie_reads's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I have to start by saying that this is not the sort of book I normally enjoy, so just having finished it ranks it my most favorite literary fiction of all time. Instead of the 'lovely' *cough* overly descriptive *cough* writing that usually marks literary fiction, this writing is simple and compelling.
It also helps that the characters give me a window into a different life and different set of circumstances than I've experienced, which I always enjoy. Even better, I found their 'different' circumstances strangely relatable in some ways. I don't come from an immigrant family, but I do know what it's like to have a family culture that's vastly different from everyone else around.
So, five star writing, with some five star moments, and overall a four star experience because I still struggle a bit with the very slow, literary style.
Except... Well, staying spoiler free, let's just say that on occasion some very poor decisions are made in the course of the story, and some of them disturbed me enough to really drag down the experience, hence the 3.5 star rating instead of four.
I'm glad I read this story, and parts of it will probably stay with me for a very long time, but I don't see myself being likely to revisit it.
It also helps that the characters give me a window into a different life and different set of circumstances than I've experienced, which I always enjoy. Even better, I found their 'different' circumstances strangely relatable in some ways. I don't come from an immigrant family, but I do know what it's like to have a family culture that's vastly different from everyone else around.
So, five star writing, with some five star moments, and overall a four star experience because I still struggle a bit with the very slow, literary style.
Except... Well, staying spoiler free, let's just say that on occasion some very poor decisions are made in the course of the story, and some of them disturbed me enough to really drag down the experience, hence the 3.5 star rating instead of four.
I'm glad I read this story, and parts of it will probably stay with me for a very long time, but I don't see myself being likely to revisit it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Grief