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mo_is_a_moody_readerr's review against another edition
5.0
Since reading it, I've recommended this book to everyone I've come across.
EVERYONE.
Ngl, when I started the book, it was good but pretty slow and I left it for a bit. However, the second half of the book had me stuck to it unable to put it down (I had assessments due and I was reading this, yeah. THAT good.)
I have about 90% of this book highlighted and god I'd do anything to attend Azurs seminar. The constant shift between the past and present was a delight and added to the suspense. Elif Shafak, no doubt has a way with words, from the language to the characters to the incredibly thought-provoking dialogues, I'm so glad this was the first Elif Shafak book I read.
Oh and I absolutely love the open-ended ending.
EVERYONE.
Ngl, when I started the book, it was good but pretty slow and I left it for a bit. However, the second half of the book had me stuck to it unable to put it down (I had assessments due and I was reading this, yeah. THAT good.)
I have about 90% of this book highlighted and god I'd do anything to attend Azurs seminar. The constant shift between the past and present was a delight and added to the suspense. Elif Shafak, no doubt has a way with words, from the language to the characters to the incredibly thought-provoking dialogues, I'm so glad this was the first Elif Shafak book I read.
Oh and I absolutely love the open-ended ending.
taralalu's review against another edition
4.0
The only reason this book doesn't deserve five stars is because of its end. It was beautifully written and her observations were wonderful, however it felt like the horse drawing were someone spent hours drawing the first 3 quarters then ran out of time. Apart from that, I found myself agreeing with so many contrasting characters that I felt like the girls combined made up one true real person.
Would recommend to anyone having a character clash or an identity crisis. Felt truly understood.
Would recommend to anyone having a character clash or an identity crisis. Felt truly understood.
rads_thereader's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
“The faces we see in the mirrors are not really ours. Just reflections. We can find our true selves only in the faces of the Other”.
Albeit a bit slow, this book is extremely thought-provoking with a central theme…. God. A subject that brings people together, but can also lead to a gap that might seem impossible to bridge.
The story revolves around Peri, a Turkish woman as she goes back and forth between her life now and back during the early 2000s at Oxford University. Enrolled in a seminar led by a rebellious professor, Peri and her two best friends, an unlikely group together known as - The Sinner, The Believer, and The Confused; explore the concepts of identity, faith, and feminism.
This novel is a wonderful piece of literature and beautifully sheds light on religion; the way it’s interpreted by each individual and the role it plays in our lives. It will make you question, analyse, and strengthen your beliefs or might help you discover an entirely new perspective.
Furthermore, in the current situation, where half of the world seems to be at each other’s throats, this book inculcates a spirit of harmony and togetherness, encouraging readers to learn and practise virtues such as acceptance, individuality, and above all, humanity.
While this book might not be up everyone’s alley, I would definitely recommend you give it a chance and read it at least once in your life.
“The faces we see in the mirrors are not really ours. Just reflections. We can find our true selves only in the faces of the Other”.
Albeit a bit slow, this book is extremely thought-provoking with a central theme…. God. A subject that brings people together, but can also lead to a gap that might seem impossible to bridge.
The story revolves around Peri, a Turkish woman as she goes back and forth between her life now and back during the early 2000s at Oxford University. Enrolled in a seminar led by a rebellious professor, Peri and her two best friends, an unlikely group together known as - The Sinner, The Believer, and The Confused; explore the concepts of identity, faith, and feminism.
This novel is a wonderful piece of literature and beautifully sheds light on religion; the way it’s interpreted by each individual and the role it plays in our lives. It will make you question, analyse, and strengthen your beliefs or might help you discover an entirely new perspective.
Furthermore, in the current situation, where half of the world seems to be at each other’s throats, this book inculcates a spirit of harmony and togetherness, encouraging readers to learn and practise virtues such as acceptance, individuality, and above all, humanity.
While this book might not be up everyone’s alley, I would definitely recommend you give it a chance and read it at least once in your life.
crosereader's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
anniemarie321's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
4.5
prunesavelli's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? N/A
3.75
bkwacisz's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is very close to my heart. Growing up in a religious environment and searching for answerssimilar to the main character, Peri. Incredibly well written with great character development. Peri felt very familiar, such a lovable person despite all the trauma in her past. This books portraits different experiences of women with Islamic background, teaching emphaty
mariarty24601's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
readbybeckyrose's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75