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sweetbeetle's review against another edition
3.0
A sort of slow take on losing faith in the promise of the rightous American big brother. The main character goes from enjoying the American dream without much critical thought until the aftermath of 9/11 starts to affect his own life...
In some sense, a very classic male narrated story. The character in the current timeline seems sort of all-knowing and arrogant. He tells about his life before 9/11 where he was super successful, but also naive, rarely thinking about politics (or how his actions affects others). Then 9/11 happens and he starts feeling a lot of feelings he doesn't have a language for, his emotions build up. This lasts a while, until almost in the end he
The last part should have his character explain his viewpoints and perhaps greater political ideas, but this part is very short, the ideas are scattered and thin. The story does not offer much insight into the future the character envisions, only that Pakistan cannot trust that America has its back in a war against India, and therefore Pakistan should become more politically independent. It unclear to me if the character has nationalistic tendencies. Maybe I am a bad reader, but I feel the book didn't give much in terms of providing new ideas, good observations or clarity in the overall message. Even the emotional part, feelings creeping up on you slowly and changing your outlook on life, was stale.
Overall, everything was just alright, it was easy to read, engaging in some ways and it has a Norwegian Wood-type love-story added in the mix. I didn't hate it despite my harsh review, but it certainly had room for improvement.
Moderate: Racism, Suicide, and Xenophobia
motherofladybirds's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Suicide
aarustin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Islamophobia and Deportation
Minor: Suicide and War
clemmiem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Hate crime and Islamophobia
Moderate: Classism, Mental illness, and Suicide
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
meenalgarg'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
3.75
Moderate: Suicide, Death, and Mental illness
emdear's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Suicide
simoneg'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? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Racism, Mental illness, and Grief
Minor: Suicide
amkclaes's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Islamophobia, and Death
Moderate: Suicide and War