Scan barcode
xvicesx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This was incredibly painful to get through, even though it was a reasonably short book. The writing wasn't necessarily bad, but it was all over the place and the zoom of the narrator kept moving around as if it was some low budget sitcom. It was a very annoying feature, and very often felt unnecessary because it didn't add much to the story.
Nothing actually happens in the first 33% of this book. Nothing. There's a randomised grouping of various events that don't necessarily tie together and don't make a ton of sense. The book blurb states the father is murdered, it's the whole premise. Except it's not. It's a wedding. The father's still alive at the 33% mark.
The characters, I will not deny, are painted with a good background and with baggage in an attempt to make them vivid. They have large chips on their shoulders about their heritage, cultural and criminal, and it influences much of their relationships with each other. Is it readable, though? Not really.
I also found a few segments very preachy, focusing on misrepresentations of Islam, "whiteness" and "brownness" and the baggage on either side. I think either that discourse takes place in non-fiction books that deal with the topic at length, with a beginning, a middle and an end, OR, if it's fiction, it should take place in more natural contexts as the book actually proceeds through its plot (except there seems to be none here).
Nothing actually happens in the first 33% of this book. Nothing. There's a randomised grouping of various events that don't necessarily tie together and don't make a ton of sense. The book blurb states the father is murdered, it's the whole premise. Except it's not. It's a wedding. The father's still alive at the 33% mark.
The characters, I will not deny, are painted with a good background and with baggage in an attempt to make them vivid. They have large chips on their shoulders about their heritage, cultural and criminal, and it influences much of their relationships with each other. Is it readable, though? Not really.
I also found a few segments very preachy, focusing on misrepresentations of Islam, "whiteness" and "brownness" and the baggage on either side. I think either that discourse takes place in non-fiction books that deal with the topic at length, with a beginning, a middle and an end, OR, if it's fiction, it should take place in more natural contexts as the book actually proceeds through its plot (except there seems to be none here).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, and Racial slurs
tabby2920's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Murder, Police brutality, Violence, Torture, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content
epellicci's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
The Khan drew me slowly into a world of drama and tension. Told from multiple perspectives, it follows the struggle for belonging, home and respect felt by a network immigrant families in the UK. The grirty crime syndicate plot runs, at times, parallel with and at times entwined with a much more powerful story of race, family, honour and strength. The books strength is in the quality of its character. I especially adored the main character, Jia, who is masterfully written. She is complicated, multifaceted and a natural leader. Allowed to be flawed but confident, strong, but have fear, anger and grace. What moved me most about The Khan was the way that love was entirely central for every character, in ways even they weren't aware of sometimes. It is beautifully written and utterly gripping.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Racism
Moderate: Sexism, Racial slurs, and Police brutality
Minor: Sexual assault
claudia_bow's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
snapshotsofabookishlass's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Islamophobia, Murder, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
More...