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wanderinggoy's review against another edition
5.0
Poetic, violent, captivating. A book to savour slowly.
lilacs_'s review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lucyi's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
kimdeitzler's review
5.0
This is the kind of book that is best digested by biting off small bits and letting them melt in your mouth. The language is beautiful and the story is compelling. I would characterize it as something along the lines of Rohinton Mistry meets Zadie Smith meets Jane Austen. I can't wait to read more from this author.
tcm_62's review against another edition
5.0
I've had this book on my shelf for years and just got round to reading it. Published in 2004, it's absolutely the best novel I've read this year (2022). It's not an easy read, but an honest one. The author brilliantly describes the intricate and complex relationships between family members, where cultural and religious practices clash with western norms in the Pakistani immigrant community in Britain of the late 1990's.
Using beautifully lyrical language, the author takes us into the hearts and minds of the main characters, Shamas the father and Kaukab the mother. We learn of their pain, their loves, their losses and regrets, and subsequently their actions and the impact these have on their three children and wider community.
Woven through the narrative are the motifs of moths, butterflies and peacocks, Shamas' brother Jugnu lives next door who is a lepidopterist and has a vast collection in his house, which is a source of fascination to his young niece and nephews. But at the heart of the story is the mystery of what has happened to Jugnu and his lover Chanda, a young women from the community who lives openly with him and unmarried. While the characters never fully uncover the truth, the events leading up to their disappearance is revealed to the reader at the end.
Ultimately it is a story about love in all it's many forms, about flawed human beings acting with the best intentions and about hope.
Using beautifully lyrical language, the author takes us into the hearts and minds of the main characters, Shamas the father and Kaukab the mother. We learn of their pain, their loves, their losses and regrets, and subsequently their actions and the impact these have on their three children and wider community.
Woven through the narrative are the motifs of moths, butterflies and peacocks, Shamas' brother Jugnu lives next door who is a lepidopterist and has a vast collection in his house, which is a source of fascination to his young niece and nephews. But at the heart of the story is the mystery of what has happened to Jugnu and his lover Chanda, a young women from the community who lives openly with him and unmarried. While the characters never fully uncover the truth, the events leading up to their disappearance is revealed to the reader at the end.
Ultimately it is a story about love in all it's many forms, about flawed human beings acting with the best intentions and about hope.
mubeenirfan's review
2.0
Cannot rate it any higher as the writer was trying too much in one book. There are many social & religious issues that the writer has covered with broad sweeping statements. Also, did not like the setting in which the story takes place but that could be because I do not know the settings personally. It felt a small town punjab village and not an english town which was portrayed. Will not suggest it strongly to anyone.
southofsirius's review
2.0
This was a hard read; not because it was badly written- the ephemeral prose covering up the terror like sweet sickly poison, but because of how traumatic an imagery it painted. Nadeem Aslam here is a tailor, weaving threads of terror in-between prose that feels like home; I loved the way he used animals as anologies, espcially with the moths (always a sucker for lepidoptery).
However, I admit I feel that the book could've been shorter and perhaps a little more balanced in it's showcase of experiences.
However, I admit I feel that the book could've been shorter and perhaps a little more balanced in it's showcase of experiences.
_erics_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lauranoonz's review against another edition
5.0
Great book, some parts easier to read than others but overall it has a very interesting story and it is very well written. A favourite and already planning on on reading it again!