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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
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