Reviews

Dshamilja: Erzählung by Čingiz Ajtmatov

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lounouk's review against another edition

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2.0

Pas mon style

bdtodorova's review against another edition

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5.0

modern romance writers WISH they have what Aitmatov did, from the dark brooding traumatized love interest to the 4D chess traditional family dynamics. Quick read that hits harder and holds within itself more than its synopsis betrays, without overstaying its welcome. The landscape is a paid actor in this.

lizwashere's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

3.75

samolv_'s review against another edition

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5.0

where z library fails, the bodleian provides

danikass's review against another edition

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4.0

Jamila is such a lovely little story, that gives a brief glance into Kyrgyz life as they're caught between nomadic and Soviet life. (Do y'all know how hard it is to find Kyrgyz literature by Kyrgyz authors that's been translated to English? Very difficult.) The narrator is a 15-year-old boy, who has had to step up in household when his older brothers go off to war, and in particular, it becomes part of his job to accompany his sister-in-law Jamila (an amazing character who isn't afraid to push against men) to drop off provisions for the military 15 miles away. They're joined by Daniyar, a village native who left when he was young and had a rough life before returning injured from war. The villagers now generally make fun of Daniyar, including Jamila and the narrator, given that he's quiet and antisocial. The story really unfolds when the three of them take their treks across the steppe day after day, and more of Daniyar's soul is revealed. It's a love story, and a story of family, and of art and Earth and horses, and I just enjoyed it deeply. [shout out to Internet Archive on this one]

helenskaa's review against another edition

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3.0

more like a 3.5-3.75
i picked this up because my father liked it in school (being the only book he actually read in his years in school, i was hesitant) and surprisingly liked it. yes, it is a love story, but only for the last third of this little novella. aitmatov‘s detailed writing and vivid descriptions of nature are beautiful. personally, i would’ve found it more interesting if it were from jamila‘s perspective.