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arisgreatadventure's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Where this book didn't hit it home as much for me were the magical realism aspects. I was so intrigued by the concept of the doors, and there was a lot that was explored in the short stories about living in a world with these doors that I really appreciated. However, it being the only element of magical realism while also being such a stark influence on the whole world of the book made me long for more of an explanation that we never got. That may just be my preference. I also struggled to connect to Saeed and Nadia at times. They are both morally gray characters, which I think serves the story and message well, but sometimes I felt like there was no reason why I should care what happened to them.
All the same, it is a well written story that touches on some interesting topics, and if you find the concept compelling it is only a little over 200 pages, so I would recommend giving it a go.
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Grief, and War
taylorklemin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Moderate: War
justawesome1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, and War
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
caitline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Death of parent, Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and War
nini23'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
So this is a refugee story and while I enjoyed the stylistic elements and Mohsin's storytelling, I couldn't help thinking I'd be better off reading a non-fiction refugee story written by a refugee, such as Those We Throw Away Are Diamonds by Mondiant Dogon. Or by a writer once a refugee themselves like Dina Nayeri. This article written by a female Afghan refugee about seeking refuge in Britain as a child, for example, affected me greatly https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/20/new-lives-refugee-britain-afghanistan-asylum-uk-taliban
I don't think there's anyone with a neutral view about the migrant crisis, regardless of whether one lives in a host country or the one in turmoil. Mohsin Hamid's sympathy and compassion for his refugee characters as well as the pressing need to accord them dignity and humanity shines throughout. It is interesting that he has chosen to name the intake countries - Greece, Britain, US while keeping the Islamic country in chaos unnamed. People in reviews (likely British) have taken umbrage at the way nativist Britons were portrayed and their reaction to the migrant intruders appearing through doors and squatting on private property. Wasn't Brexit the result of xenophobia? The new nationality and borders bill from Priti Patel's office would penalize and criminalize asylum seekers arriving via an illegal route such as channel crossings in boats and no doubt, teleportation doors if they existed. Moreover, a clause in this bill absolves UK Border Force agents from any legal prosecution should their pushback missions result in refugee deaths. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/oct/13/uk-border-force-could-be-given-immunity-over-refugee-deaths
Greece is already engaging in pushbacks and Turkey is following suit. Bangladesh has transferred and is still transferring Rohingya refugees onto a prison-like camp on flooding prone Bashan Char Island. The list is endless. So is Mohsin Hamid prescient as one of the blurbs suggest (this blurb specifically pertains to American reaction to refugees but really can be applied more widely)?
We are all migrants through time
What Exit West illustrates well are the more prosaic quotidian elements of being a refugee: the interminable waits and boredom while stuck in limbo, the value and paramount importance of simple 'luxuries' such as a hot shower in restoring a person's self even for a while (Nadia's scene in this was so powerful), the grating friction and changes in a relationship after having undergone this grueling dehumanizing process together, the tendency to create tribes and cling onto familiar fallbacks (in Saeed's case, prayer and congregating with fellow countrymen). This last one was particularly interesting to me; Nadia couldn't divest herself fast enough from the constricting patriarchal religious strictures which had governed her life in the old country whereas Saeed having suffered no such restrictions there hankered after the same teachings and regulations at the new place.
Moderate: Gore and War
kateph's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
hannahr's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, and Violence
danajoy's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: War
Moderate: Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
haley_wasserman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: War
Moderate: Violence and War
cinderellagirl'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
3.0
Moderate: Sexual assault and War