aurora69006's review against another edition
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
rimsha28's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
2.0
I don’t know what I was expecting but never have I ever been this disappointed with a book. Too much world building, too little happening. Th book was highly inspired by the authors own thoughts and mindset, it was too skewed towards her own biases.
valje's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Whilst I really liked the writing and would read more books by Fatima Bhutto, I'm not sure I fully understood what was going on in this novel or it's ending. The main action is set during one day but there is a build-up to that day, which I sometimes found confusing. Even so, it is beautifully written and if I had more understanding of this part of the world, I have no doubt I would have got more out of it.
paintedgiraffe's review against another edition
3.0
Good, but felt disjointed. I had no idea who the fighting factions were. I had to look them up in a plot summary. There was a lot of dancing around things instead of explaining to the reader. (Why did Mina keep thinking her husband was a coward?)
melliedm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
“Men sit on motorcycles, thick scarves wrapped round their faces against the morning's light rain. They accelerate their engines and let their exhausts burst with a sound that reminds the innocent of firecrackers.”
While one would be hard-pressed to call this intense and emotional piece of historical fiction ‘enjoyable’ I did find The Shadow of the Crescent Moon an interesting read.
The book takes place during the war in Afghanistan, in a town along the Afghan-Pakistan border. It is structured in segments of time, within which we follow three story threads:
- Eldest brother Aman Erum, who has recently returned to Mir Ali from attending school in America. His story unravels slowly between his past with first love Samarra, and the price he paid to leave Pakistan.
- Middle brother Sikandar, a doctor, husband, and father whose son is gone. His day’s plans go awry when his wife, Mina, is intruding upon another funeral.
- Youngest brother Hayat, his father’s favourite, who made a promise to free Mir Ali as his father wished he could do. He’s a part of the insurgency, along with Samarra.
Through these three threads and five characters Bhutto brings us through a family and city torn apart by war and pride, sacrifice and vengeance, and grief.
I wish I was more familiar with the history of the region and the war that works as a backdrop to the story. While the human elements were harrowing and mostly universal, there was political nuance that was really lost on me while reading that left me confused at times. The novel also has quite a slow start, and until some notable reveals happen around the halfway point it’s somewhat of a churn.
As with anything that uses multiple perspectives, I had a favoured storyline. The problem with that? I would be disappointed when those chapters would end. For me, this is Sikandar and Mina. Their shared grief and the different ways they process it were beautifully done, making the more political machinations of the other two storylines fall a little flatter for me for the first half.
Overall, I’m glad I read this one, but I would recommend someone catch a documentary on what happened in these territories throughout the war in Afghanistan prior to digging in, I imagine you’ll get far more out of the experience than I did!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Confinement, Child death, Grief, War, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, and Sexism
Moderate: Torture, Injury/Injury detail, and Rape
Minor: Death of parent and Animal death
corkspork's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Really enjoyed this book in general and learning about a culture/conflict I'm not familiar with. Seemed to leave a lot of open ends and I'm not sure if it's because the outcome is clearly laid out and went over my head or because the author intended to leave from for interpretation. Really wish I could chat with her.
em_harring's review against another edition
4.0
Per FTC guidelines: I received a digital copy of this book from Edelweiss; I'm not being paid for my review.
The Shadow of the Crescent Moon by Fatima Bhutto tells the story of a single morning in Mir Al, Pakistan, and the lives of the five main characters: Aman Erum, his brother Hayat, his brother Sikandar, Sikandar's wife Mina, and Samarra--an old friend of Erum's, as well as his estranged girlfriend. The novel is centered heavily around the characters and their motivations/desires, but there is a central plot weaved through about an attack that's planned for later in the morning that will have devastating consequences on them all.
I really enjoyed this book. Bhutto's writing is lyrical, capable of encapsulating a lot of emotion in a single sentence. She's a strong writer who has evocatively captured the city and the culture, which I loved. I could feel the city, smell the city, hear the city.
I also enjoyed getting to know the characters. They each had their individual voice, which is hard to pull off when you have five main voices trying to fit into a novel that's about 230 pages. For the most part, Bhutto pulls it off. I could have used a bit more explanation as to Erum's motives, but the other characters were clearly written. I especially liked Samarra and Hayat. I would love it if Bhutto wrote a novel primarily about a character like Samarra. I wanted more about her.
I can see why the flashbacks within the novel might be considered confusing, but I thought they were a great technique to show the blend of past and present and how it affects perspective and ultimately the future.
The ending was quite abrupt; I would have preferred a bit of a smoother ending that kind of gave me more definitive answers as to what had happened. It did fit with the structure of the novel, though.
All in all, I'd recommend the book. It's beautiful and tragic and human.
The Shadow of the Crescent Moon by Fatima Bhutto tells the story of a single morning in Mir Al, Pakistan, and the lives of the five main characters: Aman Erum, his brother Hayat, his brother Sikandar, Sikandar's wife Mina, and Samarra--an old friend of Erum's, as well as his estranged girlfriend. The novel is centered heavily around the characters and their motivations/desires, but there is a central plot weaved through about an attack that's planned for later in the morning that will have devastating consequences on them all.
I really enjoyed this book. Bhutto's writing is lyrical, capable of encapsulating a lot of emotion in a single sentence. She's a strong writer who has evocatively captured the city and the culture, which I loved. I could feel the city, smell the city, hear the city.
I also enjoyed getting to know the characters. They each had their individual voice, which is hard to pull off when you have five main voices trying to fit into a novel that's about 230 pages. For the most part, Bhutto pulls it off. I could have used a bit more explanation as to Erum's motives, but the other characters were clearly written. I especially liked Samarra and Hayat. I would love it if Bhutto wrote a novel primarily about a character like Samarra. I wanted more about her.
I can see why the flashbacks within the novel might be considered confusing, but I thought they were a great technique to show the blend of past and present and how it affects perspective and ultimately the future.
The ending was quite abrupt; I would have preferred a bit of a smoother ending that kind of gave me more definitive answers as to what had happened. It did fit with the structure of the novel, though.
All in all, I'd recommend the book. It's beautiful and tragic and human.
throwmeabook's review against another edition
3.0
Check out this and other reviews on my blog https://throwmeabook.wordpress.com/2015/03/23/the-shadow-of-the-crescent-moon-by-fatima-bhutto/
The Shadow of the Crescent Moon follows the movements of three brothers, Aman Erum, Hayat and Sikander on a rainy Friday in the small and remote village of Mir Ali, in northern Pakistan. Aman Erum, the oldest brother, has recently returned from America and is on his way to the mosque. While he travels by taxi to his destination, we learn through a series of flashbacks his dream of travelling to America and the sacrifices and transgressions he has made in order for his dream to come true.
Hayat, the middle brother leaves on his motorcycle. He can’t imagine living anywhere else than Mir Ali and fights for his home, his village and country, with a group of like minded young men and women. This ragtag group of fighters is lead by a mysterious young woman whose attack plans will soon plunge Mir Ali into a catastrophic tragedy.
Sikander, the youngest of the three brothers, is a doctor at the local hospital. On this particular morning he is on his way to work when he receives a call to get his wife Mina, who ever since a recent family tragedy, has been barely hanging on to her sanity. Told in a series of flashbacks, The Shadow of the Crescent Moon tells a story of the consequences of choices made and paths taken, and we soon learn that every choice the brothers have made, every decision they have taken has brought them to this fateful, tragic day.
Fatima Bhutto has written a novel of beautiful, lyrical, hypnotizing prose. The characters she has created in The Shadow of the Crescent Moon are captivating, strong willed and determined. I found the back story (American invasion of Afghanistan) well written and informative and gave a solid tie in with the characters. That being said, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I would have wanted to just because it was a little too involved in terms of politics for my liking and although the build up to the tragic events of the day was excellent, the end gave the impression of being unfinished with no real explanation of events, no closure.
Would I recommend this title? Sure, if nothing else but for the absolutely beautiful writing. Fatima Bhutto has a wonderful gift for creating with words and I look forward to reading her next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group (The Penguin Press HC) for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Shadow of the Crescent Moon follows the movements of three brothers, Aman Erum, Hayat and Sikander on a rainy Friday in the small and remote village of Mir Ali, in northern Pakistan. Aman Erum, the oldest brother, has recently returned from America and is on his way to the mosque. While he travels by taxi to his destination, we learn through a series of flashbacks his dream of travelling to America and the sacrifices and transgressions he has made in order for his dream to come true.
Hayat, the middle brother leaves on his motorcycle. He can’t imagine living anywhere else than Mir Ali and fights for his home, his village and country, with a group of like minded young men and women. This ragtag group of fighters is lead by a mysterious young woman whose attack plans will soon plunge Mir Ali into a catastrophic tragedy.
Sikander, the youngest of the three brothers, is a doctor at the local hospital. On this particular morning he is on his way to work when he receives a call to get his wife Mina, who ever since a recent family tragedy, has been barely hanging on to her sanity. Told in a series of flashbacks, The Shadow of the Crescent Moon tells a story of the consequences of choices made and paths taken, and we soon learn that every choice the brothers have made, every decision they have taken has brought them to this fateful, tragic day.
Fatima Bhutto has written a novel of beautiful, lyrical, hypnotizing prose. The characters she has created in The Shadow of the Crescent Moon are captivating, strong willed and determined. I found the back story (American invasion of Afghanistan) well written and informative and gave a solid tie in with the characters. That being said, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I would have wanted to just because it was a little too involved in terms of politics for my liking and although the build up to the tragic events of the day was excellent, the end gave the impression of being unfinished with no real explanation of events, no closure.
Would I recommend this title? Sure, if nothing else but for the absolutely beautiful writing. Fatima Bhutto has a wonderful gift for creating with words and I look forward to reading her next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group (The Penguin Press HC) for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
marinazala's review
4.0
** Books 30 - 2019 **
This books to accomplish Tsundoku Books Challenge 2019
3,9 of 5 stars!
At First glance i interest with this books since it was written by Fatima Bhutto. niece from Formers Pakistani Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996. So when i found this books in Big Bad Wolf 2019 i'm not hesitate to put into my cart!
Wow this books is success makes me getting emotional! Three brothers (Aman Erum, Sikandar and Hayat) who lives in Mir Ali, a small town in Pakistan's tribal area close to Afgan border each of them have their own painful stories
Middle east stories is always complicated and fascinated me. This books is reminds me a lot of ISIS. so many things makes my jaw is dropping. Bomb, murdering, are you sunni or shia? Talibans even yell at you "Kafir" since you can't prove to them that you are one of them. seriously this books is makes my head spinning right now :')
Especially Sikandar and his wife, Mina's stories that the one who broke my heart a lot. It is really painful for me to read their stories to found their son for coming back alive again. This is definitely one of my favorite works after to [b:The Kite Runner|77203|The Kite Runner|Khaled Hosseini|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1546093833s/77203.jpg|3295919] and [b:A Thousand Splendid Suns|128029|A Thousand Splendid Suns|Khaled Hosseini|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1345958969s/128029.jpg|3271379] by Khaled Houssaini
Thankyou Big Bad Wolf 2019!
This books to accomplish Tsundoku Books Challenge 2019
3,9 of 5 stars!
At First glance i interest with this books since it was written by Fatima Bhutto. niece from Formers Pakistani Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996. So when i found this books in Big Bad Wolf 2019 i'm not hesitate to put into my cart!
Wow this books is success makes me getting emotional! Three brothers (Aman Erum, Sikandar and Hayat) who lives in Mir Ali, a small town in Pakistan's tribal area close to Afgan border each of them have their own painful stories
Middle east stories is always complicated and fascinated me. This books is reminds me a lot of ISIS. so many things makes my jaw is dropping. Bomb, murdering, are you sunni or shia? Talibans even yell at you "Kafir" since you can't prove to them that you are one of them. seriously this books is makes my head spinning right now :')
Especially Sikandar and his wife, Mina's stories that the one who broke my heart a lot. It is really painful for me to read their stories to found their son for coming back alive again. This is definitely one of my favorite works after to [b:The Kite Runner|77203|The Kite Runner|Khaled Hosseini|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1546093833s/77203.jpg|3295919] and [b:A Thousand Splendid Suns|128029|A Thousand Splendid Suns|Khaled Hosseini|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1345958969s/128029.jpg|3271379] by Khaled Houssaini
Thankyou Big Bad Wolf 2019!
zainub_reads's review against another edition
2.0
I found the book to be quite different, and I can’t really describe it easily.
As in, the writing is strong, nuanced and compelling it leaves quite an impact, but at the same time I found the story lacking.
.
I expected the end would give clarity to the story and complete the circle but the book ends with a few loose strands.
.
The art of writing is demonstrated very well but sadly the story wasn’t as great.
As in, the writing is strong, nuanced and compelling it leaves quite an impact, but at the same time I found the story lacking.
.
I expected the end would give clarity to the story and complete the circle but the book ends with a few loose strands.
.
The art of writing is demonstrated very well but sadly the story wasn’t as great.