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bookedbymadeline's review
Writing style just isn’t for me. It’s very stream of consciousness and repetitive with more telling than showing. I’m sure many others will love it but just not my cup of tea
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
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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