The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
nehariaz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.75
Having LOVED the Pakistani drama, Alif, I had high hopes. But in this book, Sufism was favoured upon Islam, almost showing that it’s wrong. Shafak’s writing is beautiful & spiritual, how she wove together the 40 rules in the different stories & characters is applaudable. Ella’s POV bordered a soap drama but the latter (infidelity😬) romance made up for it. I wasn’t too interested in her weight gain, cheating husband or intimate emails, and skipped some of her chapters. Shams was an amazing character, but I don’t understand why he turned Kimya down. Desert Rose the Harlot always had the most touching storyline and quotes. Rumi’s transformation from a preacher to poet, a scholar to Sufi, all have inspired me to pick up his poetry. This reflective piece certainly encourages one to embark on their jihad-al nafs, to lose one’s ego and find love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Rape, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, and Death
Minor: Addiction
sophi_walison's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
1.5
Content Warnings
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
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