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perfect_leaves's reviews
452 reviews
The Prayer Rug by H.M. Hymas
2.0
Received a free copy via netgalley for an honest review, below are the take-aways from the editorial-length review I plan to write:
I really wanted to like this book. I love to hear lesser-told narratives, and this one checked all the boxes: female main character, Muslim characters, middle eastern characters. There was so much potential, but the book fell completely flat. The writing is clumsy, the "plot twists" are obvious, and the characters feel more like caricatures.
I was excited to see some Islamic thought peppered throughout the book: why we pray, why we fast, why we cover. But these aspects were dropped into the story, rather than woven in, and the author only touched on the basics, without addressing the shades of meaning and variations in practice. In a book that spends so much time talking about Sunni/Shia conflict, discussing the differences would have been easy. On some level, I'm glad the author didn't attempt; he wouldn't have done the topic justice.
The thing I found most appalling about the book was the blatant propaganda. We get it, the war in Iraq ruined people's lives. Show us, don't tell us. The characters repeated some version of the phrase "things were better before the Americans came" so many times I thought I was going to puke. But even as they said it, they contradicted it by detailing the horrible reign of Saddam Hussein.
Frankly, I'm glad I received this for free, in ebook format. It's not worth the paper it's printed on.
I would have given the novel one star, but I gave it another star because it's a book that deals with both women and Islam, and the worlds needs more of those narratives. Even horribly constructed narratives are welcome, because they encourage discussion.
I really wanted to like this book. I love to hear lesser-told narratives, and this one checked all the boxes: female main character, Muslim characters, middle eastern characters. There was so much potential, but the book fell completely flat. The writing is clumsy, the "plot twists" are obvious, and the characters feel more like caricatures.
I was excited to see some Islamic thought peppered throughout the book: why we pray, why we fast, why we cover. But these aspects were dropped into the story, rather than woven in, and the author only touched on the basics, without addressing the shades of meaning and variations in practice. In a book that spends so much time talking about Sunni/Shia conflict, discussing the differences would have been easy. On some level, I'm glad the author didn't attempt; he wouldn't have done the topic justice.
The thing I found most appalling about the book was the blatant propaganda. We get it, the war in Iraq ruined people's lives. Show us, don't tell us. The characters repeated some version of the phrase "things were better before the Americans came" so many times I thought I was going to puke. But even as they said it, they contradicted it by detailing the horrible reign of Saddam Hussein.
Frankly, I'm glad I received this for free, in ebook format. It's not worth the paper it's printed on.
I would have given the novel one star, but I gave it another star because it's a book that deals with both women and Islam, and the worlds needs more of those narratives. Even horribly constructed narratives are welcome, because they encourage discussion.
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
4.0
Normally I wouldn't bother reviewing such an old book (I don't review books published moe than 15 years ago, I'd rather just do a literary analysis at that point) but this point certainly warrants one.
The novel, in a word: Enthralling.
I didn't find myself craving it or getting overly involved as I tend to do with other novels, but I did find myself getting completely absorbed in the story while I was reading it-- I definitely missed my stop on the metro while reading... more than once. Frankly, I almost gave Kindred 5 stars, but I just read a couple of 5-star worthy books, and this one falls a little short.
The plot and characterization are phenomenal, but the word choice is not spectacular. The words were by no means facile, but I didn't find myself struck by the beauty of the language (perhaps that was intentional). Kindred was easy to read, so the language definitely scored points in that respect. As far as characters go, it was refreshing to read a clever, well-spoken female lead. I certainly plan to keep this book in my library.
The novel, in a word: Enthralling.
I didn't find myself craving it or getting overly involved as I tend to do with other novels, but I did find myself getting completely absorbed in the story while I was reading it-- I definitely missed my stop on the metro while reading... more than once. Frankly, I almost gave Kindred 5 stars, but I just read a couple of 5-star worthy books, and this one falls a little short.
The plot and characterization are phenomenal, but the word choice is not spectacular. The words were by no means facile, but I didn't find myself struck by the beauty of the language (perhaps that was intentional). Kindred was easy to read, so the language definitely scored points in that respect. As far as characters go, it was refreshing to read a clever, well-spoken female lead. I certainly plan to keep this book in my library.
Muslim Girls and the Other France: Race, Identity Politics, and Social Exclusion by Trica Danielle Keaton
3.0
I didn't learn anything new from the book, but that's probably because it's about 10 years old. Still, it was interesting to read personal accounts on life as a Muslim girl/immigrant/descendant of an immigrant in France.
On Edge: A Journey Through Anxiety by Andrea Petersen
3.0
I really wanted to like this book, but it was a tough one to get through. I had to force myself to finish it, and I only did because I was interested in seeing what studies the author would include. Sciencey-types might like this (I found the science to be the highlight of the novel) and people who enjoy autobiographies /might/ be able to get into it, but this book wasn't for me. I don't even think it deserves three stars, but the information was good (annnnd she mentioned my former Neuro professor's colleague, who happens to have mentored one of my best friends. It was cool to see him in the book, and yes, he really has a band).
Hop on over to my blog to see the full review: http://www.sarabieventide.com/2017/07/05/a-lukewarm-but-informative-narrative/
Hop on over to my blog to see the full review: http://www.sarabieventide.com/2017/07/05/a-lukewarm-but-informative-narrative/
Lust, Caution and Other Stories by Eileen Chang
3.0
I'm usually 10000% in favor of historical fiction but these stories didn't do much for me. I kept zoning out and having to reread because the stories didn't pull me in. I will say, though, that Chang was an excellent writer. I loved her phrasing, word choice, and characterization. It's just the plots that left something to be desired.