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akilatalkutub's review
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Where the Wind Calls Home by Samar Yazbek and translated by Leri Price is heart-achingly beautiful. Ali loves the wind and nature and only wishes to follow the same path as his beloved saint. He does not quite fit into society and shies away from expectations. Outside Ali's bubble, things are changing. Other groups are forming and organizing and imposing different orders through intimidation and violence. The novel is centered on Ali who is dying under a tree. We pass dreamlike from the present to the past and back again, ever intermingling. It made me wish we could create a better world for all the Alis.
Price is an excellent translator and has done a tremendous job supporting the ambiance of the novel through her word choices.
This was the first fiction by Samar Yazbek I have read. I previously read her non-fiction تسع عشرة امرأة and have tremendous respect for her work.
Many thanks to NetGalley and World Editions for an eARC of this book.
Price is an excellent translator and has done a tremendous job supporting the ambiance of the novel through her word choices.
This was the first fiction by Samar Yazbek I have read. I previously read her non-fiction تسع عشرة امرأة and have tremendous respect for her work.
Many thanks to NetGalley and World Editions for an eARC of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Minor: War
thewordsdevourer's review
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book. Where the Wind Calls Home focuses on Ali as he reflects on his life in the Syrian countryside while hanging between life and death.
While Yazbek's novel subtly and at times lyrically deals with themes of nature, community, identity, family and loss amid the backdrop of Syria's war and corruption, the prose and story as a whole comes off as endlessly rambling, needlessly detailed and overly obfuscated to me.
The novel would have been more impactful had it been more concise; with the current version, it took me nearly 4 months to muddle through such a slim book. The foundation for a good read was there, but in my opinion the execution hampered its potential.
While Yazbek's novel subtly and at times lyrically deals with themes of nature, community, identity, family and loss amid the backdrop of Syria's war and corruption, the prose and story as a whole comes off as endlessly rambling, needlessly detailed and overly obfuscated to me.
The novel would have been more impactful had it been more concise; with the current version, it took me nearly 4 months to muddle through such a slim book. The foundation for a good read was there, but in my opinion the execution hampered its potential.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Grief, Child abuse, Death, and War
thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Thank you to Netgalley and World Editions for a copy of this book.
As Ali, a 19 year old Syrian soldier lies on the ground, he sees a body being lowered into the ground; is it his grave?
This novel weaves through vignettes of Ali's life.
The writing style wasn't my cup of tea, but I know it'll work for many others.
As Ali, a 19 year old Syrian soldier lies on the ground, he sees a body being lowered into the ground; is it his grave?
This novel weaves through vignettes of Ali's life.
The writing style wasn't my cup of tea, but I know it'll work for many others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, War, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Blood, and Grief
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