Reviews

Discretion by Faïza Guène

Only show reviews with written explanations

thatothernigeriangirl's review

challenging funny informative reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

Yamina is an interesting character; I especially love that she’s in her 70s.

I thought the narration style of this one was interesting; it felt like pictures in motion, with Yamina being the start of the ‘movie’ (as she’s the main narrator) but the camera occasionally zooming in on other characters (including the racist/bigoted White French ones). I found it amusing and admittedly enjoyed it, but I really wished I heard more from Yamina. It’s not every time we get a female Arab protagonist in her 70s!

I also love that the Taleb family is such a warm, loving one. They all have their flaws, and societal and cultural expectations, as well as even internalized patriarchy left dents in their family dynamics — but it’s undeniable the love that they shared.

As usual, Guene has deftly examined the burden that comes with inheriting generational trauma, how angry it can make you: “ it’s normal to feel angry, it’s anger that has been repressed for so long, it’s unjust, all of this, and injustice, by its nature, makes us profoundly angry” 👌🏾

claneebook's review against another edition

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5.0

Une lecture très émouvante et pleine de vérité sur la vie de toutes ces personnes issues de l’immigration, tous ces algériens ayant enfoui en eux leur souffrance et leurs traumatismes. Un livre raisonnant de sensibilité et de réalisme !

omarxova's review against another edition

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5.0

Une œuvre magistrale et si touchante. The tears were real au dernier chapitre. C'est un hommage juste magnifique à ses parents, à leurs parcours, à ses origines. Faïza Guène a vraiment une prose incroyable, elle raconte les choses avec tellement de justesse, de poésie et d'intelligence. Une autrice vraiment brillante qu'il faut absolument lire !!