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becann's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is incredibly melancholy in a really impactful way. The stories told throughout leave blanks within the narrator’s story, but somehow it doesn’t feel incomplete
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
amysou0204's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I had very high hopes for this book and sections of it delivered but many others did not. I did not like that there were no chapters in this book which made it difficult to read as there was often no "good" places to stop for a break. I thought the beginning of the book was very slow. Only halfway through did I start to get more invested but many references were made about books and authors and such that I do not know, which made it a bit less interesting. I found Hannah's story very interesting and during the retelling of her story found myself having no problems reading through page after page. In the end, as Aaliya's chatacter grows and develops, I began to enjoy her story more but I was disappointed with how the book ended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and War
smiti_nathan's review against another edition
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This story is more of a character study, than one with a gripping plot. The narrator (Aaliya) is a 72-year-old Beiruti woman, which I appreciated. It was fascinating to hear about Lebanon's history and Aaliya definitely had a strong perspective. I appreciated Rabih Alameddine's characterization of Aaliya, as he made her feel human. Yes, she is a bit of a misanthrope, but she's a complex human and that came though. She's also a book lover. Some of her perspectives about other people and nations were a bit jarring. I'm not completely sure how I feel about them and if they are situated well enough for me. The reader is told at certain points that they aren't going to get big answers or epiphanies. The way the story unravels is more about daily life and recalling memories from the past.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and that narrator did a fantastic job. This was a great listen for running errands, travel, or when you have bits of time here and there. I don't think I would have finished it if I had read it, but listening to it was great.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and that narrator did a fantastic job. This was a great listen for running errands, travel, or when you have bits of time here and there. I don't think I would have finished it if I had read it, but listening to it was great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: War, Antisemitism, Violence, and Suicide
charliebe's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
best read in a buddy read because there is a lot to think and talk about
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and War
rieviolet's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I think I had a bit of a fluctuating appreciation of the authorial voice. Some sections I did not like much, they left me quite bored and also a bit perplexed on why they were included. Some parts I enjoyed more, especially the ones focused on the themes of litearture and translation (though I have to say the literary references were a bit relentless sometimes), and also the descriptions of Beirut and its troubled history.
Also, I quite liked the storyline surrounding the character of Hannah, but I have to say that the way the author handled certain aspects of her story did not sit quite right with me I'm talking about her relationship with food, or maybe I should say her eating disorder, I still do not know what to make of it.
The story centers around Aaliya and the readers view characters, events and the surroundings through her point of view, so it is inevitable for the narration to get a bit "stream-of-consciousness-y" but I think that at times it can become too much. Sometimes I felt like the narration was too much disjointed, without a structure to connect the narrative jumps. I'm just not the biggest fan of this kind of narrative style.
Overall, it was a bit of a up-and-down reading experiece, but I quite liked the final section so the book ended on a higher note for me.
Also, I quite liked the storyline surrounding the character of Hannah, but I have to say that the way the author handled certain aspects of her story did not sit quite right with me I'm talking about her relationship with food, or maybe I should say her eating disorder, I still do not know what to make of it.
The story centers around Aaliya and the readers view characters, events and the surroundings through her point of view, so it is inevitable for the narration to get a bit "stream-of-consciousness-y" but I think that at times it can become too much. Sometimes I felt like the narration was too much disjointed, without a structure to connect the narrative jumps. I'm just not the biggest fan of this kind of narrative style.
Overall, it was a bit of a up-and-down reading experiece, but I quite liked the final section so the book ended on a higher note for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Sexism, War, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, Blood, Excrement, Sexual content, Gore, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Torture, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Car accident, Rape, and Death of parent
carolinewithane's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt
lapis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I wish I could explain why I loved this so much, but it's probably something deeply personal. Anyway, read it. It's good.
It's dark, but hopeful. I was nearly crying by the end of my second read. I think I've grasped at least part of why I like this book. I feel seen.
If you're the sort that expects your future to be bleak, especially if or because you don't have a spouse and / or children, and you're introverted, (and of course, you love reading) and can't imagine someone actually valuing you, I think you'll really like this book.
It's dark, but hopeful. I was nearly crying by the end of my second read. I think I've grasped at least part of why I like this book. I feel seen.
If you're the sort that expects your future to be bleak, especially if or because you don't have a spouse and / or children, and you're introverted, (and of course, you love reading) and can't imagine someone actually valuing you, I think you'll really like this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
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