A review by whimsicalmeerkat
The Good Muslim by Tahmima Anam

3.0

I have not read [b:A Golden Age|823815|A Golden Age|Tahmima Anam|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61k0OPLDFvL._SL75_.jpg|1387754] and I know nothing about the Bangadeshi war against Pakistan. Both of these facts most likely decreased my appreciation for [b:The Good Muslim: A Novel|11331177|The Good Muslim A Novel|Tahmima Anam|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FQVSvdwUL._SL75_.jpg|14600102]. I enjoyed the first of three sections very much, but somewhere in the second what had seemed like an introductory style began to feel very much like a lack of coherency. The lack of exposition contributed to my confusion about the setting and Maya, the primary character, began to repeat her thoughts and observations in a way that became irritating. I find it frustrating that this book was not better, because it very well could have been. It feels like there is a beautiful story that could have been told if only the author had more time or a more brutal editor to trim away the outer edges and reveal the center.

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy of this book for free through the Goodreads First Reads giveaway program.