Reviews

In the Eye of the Sun by Ahdaf Soueif

krobart's review against another edition

4.0

See my review here:

https://whatmeread.wordpress.com/2021/12/30/review-1777-in-the-eye-of-the-sun/

edna_lives_'s review against another edition

challenging sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

literaldecolonisation's review against another edition

5.0

I wish I can experience reading this book again for the first time. It was painful to finish it and i will miss Asya, her family and friends, and her Egypt dearly.

zoracious's review against another edition

4.0

This book reminds me of Richardson's Pamela, where I kept on cheering on the narrator in her quest at suicide. Except Asya doesn't really attempt suicide. Oddly, though, I found myself unable to put this book down, which is a feat considering that it is a thick tome that inspires thoughts of what paraphernalia I might be able to hide within its covers given a sharp X-acto knife and some paper-cutting skills. Nonetheless I can't be too mean considering how doggedly I continued to read this thing. I've given up on shorter books.

annreadsabook's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective 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

4.5

I really, really enjoyed this book! It’s steeped in both the geopolitical currents of 1970s Egypt and also considers the positionality of women in Egyptian and Western society. Soueif did an amazing job with her portrayal of Asya, the protagonist—I flew through the book because I was so drawn to Asya and wanted only the best for her as she contended with complicated romantic and familial dynamics. We watch Asya grow to question more deeply the decisions she makes in life, both in choosing her romantic partners and in her career. While 800 pages is quite long for any book, I felt that Soueif used these pages well to paint a portrait of a woman finding herself in a world made for men (plus, I do enjoy a thick book from time to time!).

Another thing to note is that if you’re a fan of Middlemarch by George Eliot, you may enjoy this novel—Soueif herself nods to Middlemarch in the beginning of the book, clearly envisioning this as an Egyptian response to Eliot’s classic. I’ve not yet read it, but this definitely makes me excited to pick it up!

This is definitely a book that I’d like to revisit in the coming years, because it is full of political, gender, and social commentary that I am sure will stay with me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Miscarriage

emzireads's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexism

Moderate: Miscarriage

lipglossmaffia's review against another edition

I'll get back to it, I just have way too many interesting shorter books to read

faizafiza's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

ashmawi's review against another edition

4.0

reread: i still threw it across the room in annoyance but i love it

dkeane2007's review against another edition

4.0

I searched for this book when it was first published and ended up having to order it. I love Soueif's ability to have different story lines in different places running at the same time, all equally engaging.