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bhagestedt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
seawarrior's review against another edition
4.0
This is a gorgerously lyrical book about a family searching for home while met with insurmountable indifference by both the governments they fled from and towards, as seen through the eyes of their young daughter. Firuzeh is a wonderful narrator whose innocence and stubborness demand attention and empathy, and I was gripped by her story from beginning to end. Yu's language is precise, dreamlike and haunting. She ties the fates of her characters together to joyful and tragic effect, and weaves a story of relentless hope that holds power even in the family's grimmest moments. One of the greatest magical realism novels I have encountered so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Xenophobia, and Grief
Moderate: Child death and Suicide
Minor: Physical abuse
mcriqui's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kbhenrickson's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child death and Racism
Minor: Death of parent
clara_ward's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
pearamour's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
Beautifully written - many parts of the book read like poetry.
sabalekhan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
kristenjiannotti's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Very interesting story and concept. We're following Firuzeh and her family as they escape from Afghanistan and will do anything to keep from going back. Suffering heartache, strife, poverty, and loss, the family goes through it all. I find the genres that the book has been placed in troubling - as the only 'fantasy' aspect is that Firuzeh speaks with her dead friend . That was it.. so anybody seeking this out for it's fantasy aspects or anybody staying away from this because of it's fantasy notation are both missing out. Mislabeled at best. However, I really enjoyed the family story - even with it's vague ending!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug abuse