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rasoa_simiyu's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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? No
3.5
bluestarfish's review against another edition
3.0
Minaret slips between Najwa's life as a teenager in Khartoum before the revolution and her exile in London and the gentle falling down in her life circumstances. London is a city of many faces and experiences and it was interesting seeing it through the eyes of somebody different again. But the main interest for me was Najwa's spiritual journey to Islam and I thought that beautifully written. Nominally Muslim as a child, fasting during Ramadan and going with her mother to give alms, she discovers her faith later on as she finds her way through life. I was slightly worried about a mawkinsh ending at one point so I'm glad that didn't happen.
suzemo's review
2.0
I will go ahead and just throw it out there that I don't like religion. I don't like any kind of system that is used to oppress and control people, which is what I think of (in general) when I/we/people talk of religion.
So we have this privileged girl, who is being raised in a very patriarchal system (governed by a patriarchal religion), who loses her privilege, position, and a lot of her support system (and her "way"), and then finds her "way" by immersing herself in that religion. She is raised not to think her way out of a wet paper sack, and she is left alone... and finds a way to continue not thinking...
Meh. I dislike reading books where I feel frustrated because characters choose helplessness or don't choose to empower themselves.
As for the writing - meh. It felt a little canned. The characters seemed to be predictable, one dimensional. I do like that the story was current with occasional flashbacks only because it made it feel a little less bogged down. If I read the characters life straight through, I probably would have stalled out half way through the book.
So we have this privileged girl, who is being raised in a very patriarchal system (governed by a patriarchal religion), who loses her privilege, position, and a lot of her support system (and her "way"), and then finds her "way" by immersing herself in that religion. She is raised not to think her way out of a wet paper sack, and she is left alone... and finds a way to continue not thinking...
Meh. I dislike reading books where I feel frustrated because characters choose helplessness or don't choose to empower themselves.
As for the writing - meh. It felt a little canned. The characters seemed to be predictable, one dimensional. I do like that the story was current with occasional flashbacks only because it made it feel a little less bogged down. If I read the characters life straight through, I probably would have stalled out half way through the book.
rustedpages's review
5.0
Minaret follows the story of Najwa, who is forced to flee her home in Sudan, to London, when civil war breaks out. Contrary to what I expected, I really enjoyed this book. The simplicity of it is a breath of fresh air. The writing is incredibly stripped back and straightforward but I think that is its charm. The different ways the characters navigate their faith is realistic and relatable. It reminds me of how uniquely everyone struggles. I even enjoyed the romance (something I rarely enjoy). I think I might have to look into Leila Aboulela’s other works.
bowelhaus's review
2.0
Not a very interesting character and the writing style isn't very captivating either. Wasn't sure exactly what the author was trying to say about the division between devout and secular Muslims because it seemed almost too black and white: this wrong and this is right. Was super excited to read this as the story sounded amazing and I have been wanting to read more books from Muslim authors but I had to stop this book about three-quarters in.
femalemanipulator's review
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
thebookishepicure's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
azu_rikka's review
4.0
I absolutely loved the plot!!
There are so many books where a Muslim woman escapes "the oppressive traditions" of her faith/ family and frees herself by engaging in sexual exploits and dressing scantily.
This story is the other way around. The language is simple but beautiful and the protagonists motives are easy to understand.
There are so many books where a Muslim woman escapes "the oppressive traditions" of her faith/ family and frees herself by engaging in sexual exploits and dressing scantily.
This story is the other way around. The language is simple but beautiful and the protagonists motives are easy to understand.