Reviews

The Kindness of Enemies by Leila Aboulela

khadijareads's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative 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? It's complicated

4.75

I love that the book does not pass judgment on any of the characters and does not push 21st-century morals on historical figures. 
Books rarely make me cry but this one did.

guinness74's review against another edition

3.0

Confusing, but entertaining

Only toward the end of the book did I begin to see the parallels which I assume the author was drawing. Which is to say that they were not terribly vibrant to begin with. The story of Natasha leaves a lot to be desired up til the end. The story of Imam Shamil and his sons is much more valuable in terms of storytelling, while the story of Anna is incidental and not terribly germane to the novel, in my opinion. Probably more of a 2.5 stars book, but I’m interested in the region and the life of Shamil now, so any book that piques interest is valuable.

ckkurata529's review against another edition

3.0

Compelling and interesting story. I knew nothing of the background/setting, so I can’t speak to its accuracy but I enjoyed the blend of storytelling and history. The major characters were frustratingly selfish and irritatingly arrogant.

just_some_genius_'s review

dark emotional informative mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

100onbooks's review against another edition

Spoke a bit about it in my February Wrap Up video: https://bit.ly/100onBooksYT001

heathssm's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad tense 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

4.0

viis97's review against another edition

reflective 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

4.25

lubica_p's review

5.0

I read this because I liked the Translator and I wasn't disappointed. This book is beautifully written. Most novels dealing with emigration and identity focus on alienation. Here, Aboulela also looks at the bonds people form in their adopted environment, which links they choose to keep to their country of origin and what it means to belong somewhere.

moonchildimane's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

pagesandpetrichor_shaahima's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes

4.5