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aed2655's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This had a great idea behind it that was poorly executed. The social commentary was over-the-top and the thriller side of it didn't have much of a payoff. The descriptions of foreign language translation were interesting though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, Cannibalism, and Classism
albernikolauras's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This might end up being a favorite of the year. I just don't know.
The Centre follows Anisa as she finds out about a language school that allows you to master the language in 10 days (for quite a price) and how Anisa's life changes because of it. This book is rich in character study as you follow Anisa into her obsession of becoming a renowned translator. This book drips with discussions on colonialism and its affects on language, people, and their families. I think it handles this discussion on a level that I wished Babel had (disclaimer - I DNFed Babel 30% in so maybe it changed).
Such a fun book with such a complicated character.
The Centre follows Anisa as she finds out about a language school that allows you to master the language in 10 days (for quite a price) and how Anisa's life changes because of it. This book is rich in character study as you follow Anisa into her obsession of becoming a renowned translator. This book drips with discussions on colonialism and its affects on language, people, and their families. I think it handles this discussion on a level that I wished Babel had (disclaimer - I DNFed Babel 30% in so maybe it changed).
Such a fun book with such a complicated character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Cannibalism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Misogyny, Xenophobia, and Classism
book_buddy_rob's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.25
This book was a lot of fun to read but also so creative in the way it uses the idea of language and translation as the thrilling element of the story.
It’s truly one of the most unique thrillers I’ve ever read and I love a book where there’s lots to analyze and interpret, and this definitely delivers.
I will say in the middle, the pacing does drag a little bit but I still was invested in the story. But the twist at the end made it totally worth it and this becomes one of those books where you’re not quite sure what you read in a very satisfying way.
It’s truly one of the most unique thrillers I’ve ever read and I love a book where there’s lots to analyze and interpret, and this definitely delivers.
I will say in the middle, the pacing does drag a little bit but I still was invested in the story. But the twist at the end made it totally worth it and this becomes one of those books where you’re not quite sure what you read in a very satisfying way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Cannibalism, and Classism
trivialcve's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
so this started a bit slow, which made sense for the narrative & i think it works nicely to establish the narrator. but i feel like somewhere along the way it kinda feel a bit draggy and there were quite a few loose ends bc the author might have tried to explore too much at once.
anisa also gets very unlikable after a while. personally, i don’t mind unlikable narrator but man her classists comments really gets on my nerves at some points.
in terms of the mystery, i kiiinda figured vaguely what was happening early on andthe email basically confirmed to me that cannibalism was involved . though me figuring that out pretty early didn’t feel like much of an issue tbh.
also props to the narrator of the audio book version bc i adore how she voiced anisa and her narration in general
anisa also gets very unlikable after a while. personally, i don’t mind unlikable narrator but man her classists comments really gets on my nerves at some points.
in terms of the mystery, i kiiinda figured vaguely what was happening early on and
also props to the narrator of the audio book version bc i adore how she voiced anisa and her narration in general
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Cannibalism, and Classism
luckythenoun's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Cannibalism
Minor: Misogyny
lizzym126's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Islamophobia, Cannibalism, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Gore, Sexual content, Vomit, Medical content, and Cultural appropriation
btaylorb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
I loved this, it's incredibly dark and has a leisurely, lush tone that contrasts well with the sense of high tension every time the main character goes to The Center. As always in a good horror novel, this story uses those glimpses at the monster behind the curtain to shed light on things that are truly horrific: racism (particularly through the supremacy of the Western canon and Western European language), classism, and sexism. Meanwhile the body horror, when it's revealed is more subdued. There's also a really good red herring early on that I would occasionally remember throughout the story and then gradually forget about. I loved how flawed and earnest the main character is: She is by turns introspective and aware of her privilege as she delves into why she's so unhappy, but also often blind and uncaring toward other characters.
I thought the use of different languages throughout, in particular Urdu, the MC's first language, was really well executed. I listened to the audio version where the Urdu dialogue is read by the narrator, but as far as I can tell they're not always translated for the listener. Apparently, these sections are also not delineated by italics in the physical or ebook editions. I think this is such a clever way to create a sense of intimacy with the characters and reinforce some of what the book is exploring around language and communication. I don't feel at all like I lost anything by not understanding those few sections. In the final section of the audiobook, the author gives an interview where she talks about the idea that if you don't understand something, it might just not be meant for you, and that's okay - and this is sometimes a central point of the story.
Also noteworthy: There's one passage toward the end where a racial slur gets bleeped in the narration of the audio. I'm going to glance at the physical copy at my library, because I'm curious if it's similarly censored in some way in the text. I would love to know if this was an authorial choice or an editorial one for the audio edition; I'm hopeful it's the former because, given the premise, I think that's an interesting and powerful detail.
I thought the use of different languages throughout, in particular Urdu, the MC's first language, was really well executed. I listened to the audio version where the Urdu dialogue is read by the narrator, but as far as I can tell they're not always translated for the listener. Apparently, these sections are also not delineated by italics in the physical or ebook editions. I think this is such a clever way to create a sense of intimacy with the characters and reinforce some of what the book is exploring around language and communication. I don't feel at all like I lost anything by not understanding those few sections. In the final section of the audiobook, the author gives an interview where she talks about the idea that if you don't understand something, it might just not be meant for you, and that's okay - and this is sometimes a central point of the story.
Also noteworthy: There's one passage toward the end where a racial slur gets bleeped in the narration of the audio. I'm going to glance at the physical copy at my library, because I'm curious if it's similarly censored in some way in the text. I would love to know if this was an authorial choice or an editorial one for the audio edition; I'm hopeful it's the former because, given the premise, I think that's an interesting and powerful detail.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Body horror, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, and Classism
Minor: Gore, Racial slurs, Sexual content, and Islamophobia
jessy4550's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gore, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Grief, Cannibalism, Cultural appropriation, and Classism
Moderate: Vomit and Alcohol
bookishcookiemonster's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I had expected a Mexican Gothic type of pacing and reveals, but that's not what this book gave.
I think the "thriller" aspect of the book was lacklustre. The pacing is also very slow - it took me 3 months to finish the book because I kept getting bored and putting it down.
The way the big reveal was done was very disappointing. And the characters weren't utilized in way that could have possibly brought more suspense and drama to the story.
I think the "thriller" aspect of the book was lacklustre. The pacing is also very slow - it took me 3 months to finish the book because I kept getting bored and putting it down.
The way the big reveal was done was very disappointing. And the characters weren't utilized in way that could have possibly brought more suspense and drama to the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Classism
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Vomit
bloupibloupreads's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Islamophobia, and Murder
Minor: Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, and Classism