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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
Started good, does get long winded. I had hoped for more of a edge of your seat thriller, big twist book but it didn't really deliver. Right when I thought there would be a big reveal explanation dangerous for the main character it fizzled.
This book was really captivating me in the first half, but then it got so dull and windy for no reason. It took a boring turn and I felt like all of the mystery and drama petered out. The main character’s growth was truly nonexistent and all of the book’s discussion of classism and racism fell somewhat flat because the main character never internalized any of her learning or did anything about it.
the representation in this book was NOT it. i liked the way it was told so i kept reading but like it was so forced with the “liberal muslim” trope. i think it was cool to read the loop you get stuck in when making some observations the main character made but other than that…ajeeb
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Anisa Ellahi is a struggling translator with dreams of greatness. Though her heart's desire is to be an esteemed translator of great novels, she in fact spends her days writing subtitles for Bollywood movies. When her white boyfriend mysteriously learns to speak Urdu, her native language, practically overnight, she discovers a mysterious program called »The Centre« that promises fluency in any language in just ten days. Enticed by the possibility of achieving her aspirations, she enrolls in the program, but soon uncovers its hidden, eerie secrets.
Holy smokes, this book is amazing! Thought-provoking, gripping, enigmatic and surreal … The mystery is haunting, yet the author explores intertwining themes that go much deeper than thrills and chills: the politics of language, alienation, appropriation, identity, intergenerational trauma and more.
Anisa realizes with dawning horror that she has signed up for something that's as liberating as it is grotesque and nightmarish. She is a wonderful character, complex and authentic, so I found it impossible to not root for her. In beautiful words, Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi captures a wide panorama of conflicting emotions, from liberation to deep unease and outright terror. I appreciated her portrayal of genuine female friendships, a welcome counterpoint to the tense suspense.
This is a genuinely great novel, carving its own path from tired grounds to imaginative new horizons. It's literary, it's chilling, it's mysterious … Ah, how do I love thee, let my count the ways. I devoured this book in no time, and now I'll keep an eye out for future releases by this very promising author.
Holy smokes, this book is amazing! Thought-provoking, gripping, enigmatic and surreal … The mystery is haunting, yet the author explores intertwining themes that go much deeper than thrills and chills: the politics of language, alienation, appropriation, identity, intergenerational trauma and more.
Anisa realizes with dawning horror that she has signed up for something that's as liberating as it is grotesque and nightmarish. She is a wonderful character, complex and authentic, so I found it impossible to not root for her. In beautiful words, Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi captures a wide panorama of conflicting emotions, from liberation to deep unease and outright terror. I appreciated her portrayal of genuine female friendships, a welcome counterpoint to the tense suspense.
This is a genuinely great novel, carving its own path from tired grounds to imaginative new horizons. It's literary, it's chilling, it's mysterious … Ah, how do I love thee, let my count the ways. I devoured this book in no time, and now I'll keep an eye out for future releases by this very promising author.
I am still trying to.. digest this one. Phenomenal writer! Insane book. (But, like, in a good way? I think? Yeah).
I read this in like 4 hours; I literally could not stop reading. This is the kind of book where you are just desparate to figure out what happens and you like the main character and her observations as well. Would have been 5 stars but I felt the ending didn't wrap up as nicely as I'd liked.
The other nice thing about this book is that even though you know from page 1 there's something shady going on at the Centre, you're never really stressed. You're just curious. Anisa is never really in any danger but you're not bored either, you're just fairly sure she's not being stupid and you're trying to figure out the mystery.
The other nice thing about this book is that even though you know from page 1 there's something shady going on at the Centre, you're never really stressed. You're just curious. Anisa is never really in any danger but you're not bored either, you're just fairly sure she's not being stupid and you're trying to figure out the mystery.
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very intriguing premise, but it lost me a bit at the end; the themes discussed in this novel were interesting, but some of them never got explored as in depth as I would have liked. Solid mystery.
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I felt this book was missing a second half to it. The last 40 pages felt rushed and loose ends were rapidly tied. I on the other hand could not put this book down. I was drawn in quickly and effectively. The storyline was great!