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emzhay's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Such an intricate and nuanced portrayal of family and identity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Islamophobia, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Terminal illness, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Miscarriage, Blood, and Police brutality
Minor: Sexual content and Religious bigotry
keatynbergsten's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Child death, Pregnancy, Death, Homophobia, Islamophobia, and Lesbophobia
leigh_ann_15_deaf's review against another edition
I'm sorry, but I find this incredibly boring. The novel is all tell, no show, from the perspective of an omniscient fetus-narrator. Despite in the opening chapter saying he knew nothing of the outside world except what light/sounds filtered through his mother's belly, he goes on to tell the story of his conception and his mother's life. I just don't understand the purpose of the fetus being the narrator here, or why he addresses his grandmother as "you" when telling a story in third-person. Freud would have a field day with this.
A few other things that bother me:
It's pretty clear the author is a man from the way he's writing pregnancy. When Seema's sister gives her a hug, she's like, "Careful!" as though a pregnant belly is fragile as an egg. He just kind of peppers in a bunch of things he's heard pregnant say, I guess.
His description of Leigh has exoticism vibes. Other characters aren't described in the same way he describes Leigh. In fact, most character descriptions are sparse, and mostly focus on clothing. Ahmed's description of Leigh is almost entirely dedicated to her appearance and body.
I also find it strange that in the rumors circulating about Seema, who was active in queer advocacy groups, terms her a "hasbian" rather than bisexual, pansexual, etc. Um? There are other letters in the acronym besides L and G.
A few other things that bother me:
It's pretty clear the author is a man from the way he's writing pregnancy. When Seema's sister gives her a hug, she's like, "Careful!" as though a pregnant belly is fragile as an egg. He just kind of peppers in a bunch of things he's heard pregnant say, I guess.
His description of Leigh has exoticism vibes. Other characters aren't described in the same way he describes Leigh. In fact, most character descriptions are sparse, and mostly focus on clothing. Ahmed's description of Leigh is almost entirely dedicated to her appearance and body.
I also find it strange that in the rumors circulating about Seema, who was active in queer advocacy groups, terms her a "hasbian" rather than bisexual, pansexual, etc. Um? There are other letters in the acronym besides L and G.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia
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