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katharina90's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Great commentary on US imperialism, capitalism, the immigrant experience in general, and the rampant racism and islamophobia post-9/11 in particular.
Didn't care for the Erica storyline, whether it's supposed to serve as an allegory or not.
"As a society, you were unwilling to reflect upon the shared pain that united you with those who attacked you. You retreated into myths of your own difference, assumptions of your own superiority. And you acted out these beliefs on the stage of the world, so that the entire planet was rocked by the repercussions of your tantrums, not least my family, now facing war thousands of miles away. Such an America had to be stopped in the interests not only of the rest of humanity, but also in your own."
Moderate: War, Xenophobia, Racism, Suicide, Grief, Islamophobia, and Mental illness
joensign's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Racism, Suicide, Islamophobia, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexual assault
Minor: Cancer
yliana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i read it for my writing class and i was honestly really into the writing style. I don't think i've ever read a book that was more of a monologue, especially with the listener never directly talking to the main character.
there weren't really any characters that i loved. i honestly think the only characters that i liked were changez and wainwright, especially since erica gave me manic pixie dream girl vibes. she really has no actual personality, in my opinion, she's just there for changez to be obsessed with.
changez's switch from loving america to...not loving it felt very natural. it was interesting to see how he rejected the fact that he was likely going to be faced with discriminationo after 9/11 solely because he was a princeton kid. i think that did a really good job of showing how easy it is to leave your identity behind to blend in to a new place or culture. also the fact that the elite and privileged are often incredibly disconnected and ignorant to what everyone below them is dealing with.
yeah, i liked this book a lot and the commentary made about the u.s. was just so on point and i wish people here could put their pride aside for just a minute so they can actually listen.
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Violence, Xenophobia, and War
librarymouse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Classism, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Grief
Moderate: Hate crime, Violence, and Xenophobia
golden_angele's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Minor: Xenophobia, Eating disorder, Terminal illness, Dysphoria, and Death
nolwem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Islamophobia, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Xenophobia
thayer_m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
rosalind's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Islamophobia
Moderate: Racism, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Xenophobia
gabbygarcia's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Islamophobia
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Violence