Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - These Impossible Things

This was a really frustrating read. I feel like it was sold as a book about female friendships, when it’s really more about romantic relationships, and abusive ones at that. The rift happens so early—we barely get time with the actual friendship, so it was hard to feel invested. And then the reconciliation at the end was so rushed and dramatic. There was hardly any emotional work put in to repair the friendship. To me it felt unrealistic. And the direct contrasting between the Muslim, non-white men being misogynistic and harmful, and the white men being perfect, gentle, and understanding was tough to read. At least the three girls’ fathers seemed like caring men—where were those traits in the younger men? My favorite parts were the descriptions of Cairo. That’s where I saw the author’s voice shine the most.

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livlosiewicz's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Pros:

·I loved the characters and their relationships! Distinct, lovable, and flawed- the perfect combination

·I learned a lot about Muslim culture from this book- yes, I mean hard facts but mostly I mean the chance to step into the characters’ shoes and consider the nuances of their situations

Cons:

·I get why she did this from a plot/theme perspective, but it’s notable that the Muslim men love interests are mainly bad

Recommendation: I recommend this book to people who enjoy deep, relationship and character-based novels. I really liked meeting these characters and learning more about them and their cultures. Fans of A Woman is No Man should consider picking this one up. Content warning for intimate partner violence! Avoid if you want something fast-paced and more plot focused, or if you want something upbeat! I will note that while the content was heavy I did not find the book depressing.

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pipbiz's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

These Impossible Things looks at three British Muslim women from different ethnic backgrounds - Pakistani, Egyptian and Palestinian. Early on in the novel their friendship fractures and most of the book is spent with them individually dealing with various personal and relationship issues, until a crisis brings them together again. While I enjoyed my reading experience and found each woman’s story arc interesting if often heavy - rape, domestic abuse, unwanted pregnancy and the challenges of interfaith relationships - one major thing bothered me. The Muslim men were virtually all portrayed in a negative light - abusive, controlling, judgemental - while the white men were all very liberal, progressive, socially aware and - for want of a better term - woke. While I can partially understand why the book was written this way I wish there had been a little more balance and nuance - a white male exhibiting sexism, racism or Islamophobia; a Muslim man supporting his female friends or family by standing up to those who tried to restrict them.

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neinselen's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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katrinarose's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0

This was such a nuanced heartfelt book about friendship, family, religion, and finding yourself. I think this book has excellent representation for Muslim women diaspora and would hit extra hard for these readers. I really liked all the characters, they were all unique and well developed. However for a book sold on female friendship, it was disappointing that the majority of the book they were not friends. I understand that drove home the point of the book in the end and it was really impactful, but I missed the friendship. Also, this book was so sad; I almost cried several times. Overall would recommend if you like sad books with these themes.

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jasmijn's review

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emotional medium-paced

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

4.5

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selwa_k_22's review

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

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