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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Khan is a equal parts family drama and a story of organised crime . Think The Godfather but set in the Pakistani community of northern England, and with a female who becomes head of the family business - just when a rival syndicate is moving in to their territory.
Jia Khan is such a complicated, flawed character. Prior to the death of her father she had been a lawyer on track to become a high court judge, estranged from her family and their way of life. She can be ruthless, cold and calculating. She has a fine line to walk, balancing the cultural expectations of Pakistani womanhood with the realities of operating in the criminal underworld, trying to implement new ways of operating to a group very wedded to tradition and the past. Her backstory is fascinating, heartbreaking and includes more than one unexpected twist.
This is a story the clearly highlights the racial and religious discrimination faced by Pakistani migrants which is crucial to understanding the draw of this crime syndicate. It’s easy to highlight the harm done by organised crime but it’s not often the positives are acknowledged or the underlying reasons explored.
A compelling story, albeit one that’s not always easy to read, exploring themes of family, legacy, tradition vs modernity, culture, discrimination, community and honour which is told through a distinctly Pashtun lens.
Jia Khan is such a complicated, flawed character. Prior to the death of her father she had been a lawyer on track to become a high court judge, estranged from her family and their way of life. She can be ruthless, cold and calculating. She has a fine line to walk, balancing the cultural expectations of Pakistani womanhood with the realities of operating in the criminal underworld, trying to implement new ways of operating to a group very wedded to tradition and the past. Her backstory is fascinating, heartbreaking and includes more than one unexpected twist.
This is a story the clearly highlights the racial and religious discrimination faced by Pakistani migrants which is crucial to understanding the draw of this crime syndicate. It’s easy to highlight the harm done by organised crime but it’s not often the positives are acknowledged or the underlying reasons explored.
A compelling story, albeit one that’s not always easy to read, exploring themes of family, legacy, tradition vs modernity, culture, discrimination, community and honour which is told through a distinctly Pashtun lens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Racism
Moderate: Islamophobia
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
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