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thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
disoriental is a family saga that is as compelling and multilayered as the political upheaval experienced by its characters.
admittedly, the myriad of characters, their unique names and histories, coupled with frequent time jumps confuse me; there's a lot of them and being info-dumped from the get-go initially throws me off a bit. the sadrs and their extended families, however, are also what give this novel so much of its life and color on both extremes.
the characters are full of depth and multidimensionality, and some of their parallels to one another are intriguing as well. i also rly enjoy how eloquent djavadi is w/ her exploration of the characters' deepest psyches, how she's able to pinpoint and articulate the personal rationales - molded by experience, history, beliefs - that shape each character and greatly impact their actions, yet are always left unsaid and unmentioned externally.
it's also insightful to read and learn abt the historical context of the book, the tide of political upheaval through various regimes that is critical to the shaping of modern iranian - and world - history. i enjoy reading abt iranian culture and setting here, both the humorous and self-deprecating observations of the family- and community-oriented mindset, and the more serious topics such as feminism and LGBTQ+ issues, the latter in which saddeq and kimia's parallels and respective plights are emotionally resonant and affecting.
while the main characters are highly affected by their time, they also help drive it all forward as well, though it's indeed disheartening to see how they have to pay such a high price for it. it's a somber reminder of the actual reality of political dissidents during the time period and one that many still experiences even today. there's so much nuance to all the political discussion as well, how no one country is wholly good, even the supposedly good ones treat refugees questionably and still trade arms on the sly.
overall, i rly enjoy this novel, and the story of the sadrs and their belived iran is one that will undoubtedly stay w/ me.
admittedly, the myriad of characters, their unique names and histories, coupled with frequent time jumps confuse me; there's a lot of them and being info-dumped from the get-go initially throws me off a bit. the sadrs and their extended families, however, are also what give this novel so much of its life and color on both extremes.
the characters are full of depth and multidimensionality, and some of their parallels to one another are intriguing as well. i also rly enjoy how eloquent djavadi is w/ her exploration of the characters' deepest psyches, how she's able to pinpoint and articulate the personal rationales - molded by experience, history, beliefs - that shape each character and greatly impact their actions, yet are always left unsaid and unmentioned externally.
it's also insightful to read and learn abt the historical context of the book, the tide of political upheaval through various regimes that is critical to the shaping of modern iranian - and world - history. i enjoy reading abt iranian culture and setting here, both the humorous and self-deprecating observations of the family- and community-oriented mindset, and the more serious topics such as feminism and LGBTQ+ issues, the latter in which saddeq and kimia's parallels and respective plights are emotionally resonant and affecting.
while the main characters are highly affected by their time, they also help drive it all forward as well, though it's indeed disheartening to see how they have to pay such a high price for it. it's a somber reminder of the actual reality of political dissidents during the time period and one that many still experiences even today. there's so much nuance to all the political discussion as well, how no one country is wholly good, even the supposedly good ones treat refugees questionably and still trade arms on the sly.
overall, i rly enjoy this novel, and the story of the sadrs and their belived iran is one that will undoubtedly stay w/ me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Sexism, and Death
Moderate: Medical content, Murder, Death of parent, Infertility, Islamophobia, Kidnapping, Police brutality, and Misogyny
Minor: Pregnancy, Genocide, Sexual content, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Abandonment, Confinement, and Religious bigotry
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