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lorees_reading_nook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- 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
3.75
As the title states, this is a book about honour, family honour, to be exact. It is the story of a young Turkish family that emigrated to London in the 1970s. It is told from the perspective of people from an Eastern culture trying to integrate into a Western one without completely losing their sense of identity by trying to keep some of their traditions alive.
But it is also a story about internalised misogyny, about the cultural perception that exists in many countries that there is a set of weights and measures for men and another one for women -with men allowed to do pretty much as they please while women suffer the consequences. Honour is not one of those books that you pick up and read in one sitting. There are many passages that will make you stop and think, not only to question the actions of the characters in the book, but perhaps to also prod you into dissecting your own preconceived notions about certain subjects.
Honour is not Elif Shafak's best known book but I believe her intention was to raise awareness about a subject that is very close to her heart.
But it is also a story about internalised misogyny, about the cultural perception that exists in many countries that there is a set of weights and measures for men and another one for women -with men allowed to do pretty much as they please while women suffer the consequences. Honour is not one of those books that you pick up and read in one sitting. There are many passages that will make you stop and think, not only to question the actions of the characters in the book, but perhaps to also prod you into dissecting your own preconceived notions about certain subjects.
Honour is not Elif Shafak's best known book but I believe her intention was to raise awareness about a subject that is very close to her heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Suicide
muravyevaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
I’ve heard Elif Shafak is wonderful. It’s true. I loved the book. I needed to get used to so many characters’ perspective, but it worked out extremely well in the end of the story. A story of a few generations from different families, spread from Turkey, Kurdistan and the UK, even a bit in United Arab Emirates. But these scenes and places, what I found extremely well done, are not overpowering the plot, they’re not the center of our attention, they’re always there as a background to characters’ stories. And wow it’s so well written.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Death, Xenophobia, Racism, Violence, Physical abuse, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent and Sexism
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