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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gifted to me by lovely Melek after our trip to Azerbaijan and Georgia!
Despite its short length, it did take me some time to get through. It wasn’t very gripping, but I did very much enjoy learned about the traditions of the time and the cultural dissonance around being European or Asian. It’s definitely better read having been to both Baku and Tbilisi. Maybe I need to visit Tehran next to complete the trifecta!
I did enjoy reading Paul Theroux’s afterword. “At the end of Ali and Nino the reader knows an enormous amount about the region and its people, its complex history, its customs and beliefs. You know about camels; harems; the interior of the Muslim household; local legends and myths; mealtimes and proprieties; the place of women; the duties of the warrior; the japes and pieties associated with the wedding night; the ambiguities of religion, not just Christian and Muslim, but subtler differences - Greek Orthodox Christians, Sunni and Shiite Muslims, and a Bahai believer thrown in for good measure.”
Despite its short length, it did take me some time to get through. It wasn’t very gripping, but I did very much enjoy learned about the traditions of the time and the cultural dissonance around being European or Asian. It’s definitely better read having been to both Baku and Tbilisi. Maybe I need to visit Tehran next to complete the trifecta!
I did enjoy reading Paul Theroux’s afterword. “At the end of Ali and Nino the reader knows an enormous amount about the region and its people, its complex history, its customs and beliefs. You know about camels; harems; the interior of the Muslim household; local legends and myths; mealtimes and proprieties; the place of women; the duties of the warrior; the japes and pieties associated with the wedding night; the ambiguities of religion, not just Christian and Muslim, but subtler differences - Greek Orthodox Christians, Sunni and Shiite Muslims, and a Bahai believer thrown in for good measure.”
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a touching story of cultures clashing and melding. Of love and death. There's a little something for everyone - war, diplomacy, chivalry, religion, travel to distant and exotic locales, love and romance, and so much more. I really enjoyed the story. The ending felt rushed and abrupt, though, while somehow still managing to seem as if it were planned perfectly and the inevitable conclusion. No matter. It's a shame because I really would have liked to be able to follow their story further.
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Oh god... I wanted to DNF so bad but last year we went to Georgia and saw the Ali and Nino statue in Batumi. I did some research and found it that this is supposed to be one of the greatest love stories. In what world is this a love story? Poor Nino being disrespected all the time. My feminist little heart couldn't take it.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Please understand that I’m aware this is a very different time and place, but I cannot get past the casual misogyny that permeates this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny