The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
cicip's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I just couldn't connect with this book. I found myself skimming through entire chapters, because of how indulgingly lyrical/philosophical they were, so much so they didn't add anything to the story.Â
I couldn't connect with any of the characters or their choices either. Shams in particular was incredibly hypocritical and insufferable.
I found the concept of having a novel within a novel interesting but overall it made it so much harder to read. It just didn't work for me sadly...
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Eating disorder
bookishbuket's review against another edition
2.0
- The storytelling doesnât leave any room for interpretation. Shafak outlines peopleâs motivations bluntly, which doesnât allow the audience to speculate the why of anything. And thatâs arguably the most important thing and author must achieve: showing not telling.Â
- The multiple POVs didnât work for me. The characters spoke too similarly to one another. Their ideas were dissimilar but there wasnât much about the tone or language that developed character or established a clear divide between the two timelines.Â
- Azizâs description of his ex was laughable! Talk about Manic Pixie Dream girl!
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Eating disorder
just_one_more_paige'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? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Terminal illness and Rape
Minor: Eating disorder
sophi_walison's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Graphic: Grief, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Sexism, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Cultural appropriation, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
raelin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed Rumi/Shams story so much more than the Ella story. I honestly probably could have done without it. Her story felt very brushed over and undeveloped. We heard more about the dishes she made for dinner than what was happening with her relationship with her kids, especially her younger daughter with an ED.Â
I am interested in reading more from Elif after reading this and watching a couple of interviews with her.Â
Minor: Abortion, Abandonment, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
saroshnandwani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Chronic illness, Grief, and Physical abuse
Minor: Death, Eating disorder, Abortion, Misogyny, and Terminal illness