Reviews

The Attack by Yasmina Khadra

cherircohen's review against another edition

3.0

I'd probably give this 3.5 stars. It is really beautifully written. But I thought it was a pretty superficial take on what is a very complex topic. The story is very compelling but he just didn't get into it enough. It easily could have been a couple hundred pages longer. I was left really unsatisfied, nothing was developed enough.

tobyyy's review against another edition

3.0

I read this in a matter of hours. I’d heard high praise of the author several years prior so when I picked this up at a secondhand bookstore, I was excited to read it. (Then, it sat on my bookshelf for several years until I recalled my initial excitement about it.)

Well, needless to say, I did not really like it. There was some beautiful writing throughout the novel, and no, novels about war probably shouldn’t be comfortable or fun reads. That’s why this book is a tough one to rate. Based on the plot, I’d rate it 2/5. Based on enjoyment, I’d also rate it 2/5. However, based on the writing and the feelings it evoked, I’d rate it a 3/5 - so that’s what I’m going to go with.

I can’t say I’d recommend this. It was not a terribly elucidating read, but there were some turns of phrase and some philosophical sections that saved this from being considered a waste of time. But I don’t understand where the fanatical praise of Khadra comes from based on this specific example of her (his) writing.

meriemy's review against another edition

fast-paced

4.5

margheritacerto's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

4.25

wallaibillai's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

lapetiteprincess's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

categal's review against another edition

2.0

I'll be rereading this one along with its graphic novel. I missed some finer points on the first time through, not sure they are there, though.

eoneon's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

carmencitae's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

megea's review against another edition

2.0

This is one of those books that you feel you have to like, or face criticism. "Oh, the themes are so important. The perspectives so valuable. The setup so thought provoking." That is undeniable. But isn't enough to make it good or enjoyable to read. And one perspective I could do without is the narrator's - at least, do without such an immersion in his inner monologue and tiresome perpetual present tense. His self-satisfaction at the beginning of the novel is insufferable. And he becomes more, and differently insufferable as he experiences a mental breakdown in response to the shock of his wife becoming a suicide bomber. But he never questions his choices, his self-satisfaction never wavers, it just gets joined by outrage. Yes, his station and personality are partly a trope to be leveraged by the Islamic rebels he pursues and debates to try to understand why his wife became a suicide bomber. And that is used effectively, though blatantly, as are the indignities routinely faced. Ultimately, the purpose of the novel seems to be to have an "important message," with everything in service to that, regardless of how tedious the devices become.