Reviews tagging 'Racism'

If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English by Noor Naga

17 reviews

aniquegrace's review

challenging dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.5

i’ll be thinking about this one for awhile 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Homophobia and Racism

kaanda's review

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• 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? Yes

5.0

Easily one of the best books I’ve ever read. The experimental elements add rather than take away from the understanding and content. The two perspectives are beautifully built and explored. Loved it completely!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexism, Addiction, Death, and Classism

gmosborne's review

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual violence, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexism

smolpmkn's review

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Violence, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual violence, Racism, Stalking, Drug use, and Domestic abuse

areen's review

dark informative

4.5

the first half was ok, kinda weird and confusing? but the latter half omg *chef's kiss* I loved the introspection of the two characters, the complex feelings tied to their cultural gap and how much you're inclined to excuse things bc it's your motherland... so many interesting discussions. the last part caught me off guard lol but it was interesting

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Classism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Stalking, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Addiction and Homophobia

amina_writes_books's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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

5.0

As someone who has lived a similar life to Noor in the sense of experiencing Egypt as a half American and somewhat of an outsider. The character development is beautiful, the plot is beautiful, and the style of writing, although complex and hard to follow, ultimately comes together in the desired effect that the author clearly has for the reader.

the final section where the author's manuscript is discussed by several, it seems proofreaders is such a realistic experience of what an author receives from many different people that need many different things out of your manuscript. It's all relative and at the end of the day, the author clearly went with her gut. So brave!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Racism, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Murder, Rape, Drug use, and Suicide

raisinreads's review

dark emotional reflective sad tense

4.0

I would like to rate this as if I had not read the last section of the book, but alas, the last section of the book was included so.. besides the last section I thought the writing was interesting and beautiful, poignant at points

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Sexual assault, Racism, Toxic friendship, Stalking, Sexism, Rape, Addiction, Classism, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Death, Sexual content, and Domestic abuse

raybudbury's review

challenging dark medium-paced

• 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Stalking, Sexual harassment, Death, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Classism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexism

Moderate: Rape

merlinmaeder's review

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Racism, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Sexual content

serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English centres on a relationship between an Egyptian American woman and an local man who meet at a cafe in in Cairo in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. They develop a relationship which turns abusive. It’s an interesting setting in geo-political terms and there is a nuanced exploration of globalisation, power and identity. The third part gets very meta as the author take us into a writer’s workshop where her book is being discussed. For me this fell into the appreciated rather than enjoyed category. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Addiction, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Stalking, and Domestic abuse