Reviews

A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

sarastrombergg's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad slow-paced

4.5

moh's review against another edition

5.0

This is a beautiful novel that spans about 30-40 years in the lives of an Indian American Muslim family. Fatima Farheen Mirz quietly adds more depth to each character as the plot moves forward. I found myself thinking about these characters so often that, on at least two different occasions, I needed to remind myself they were fictional. I can't imagine a multiple-POV portrayal of the dynamics of a family done better than it is here.

Deepti Gupta and Sunil Malhotra's narrations of the audiobook are excellent.

ladypelletier's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-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

3.0

zara_reading_'s review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-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

4.75

miiaria's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-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

3.5

_reading_kelly's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

This was a beautiful story of family, love and belonging. I loved the way it switched point of views and bounced around to memories of the family. As we heard from the different family members, we see their side of the memory and how it ties to others. In the beginning we hear from the mom and three children. In the last chapter it is the father's pov and sort of a love letter to his son. It's beautiful and a little heartbreaking. I loved it. 

robijn's review against another edition

2.0

The writing of the book was quite good and the story was really interesting. How did an Indian-Muslim family integrate in American society? Fatima Farheen Mirza worked this out really well, but what drove me to rating it 2 stars is how slow it actually is. This book reads at a terribly slow pace and that, for me, is a bit of a turn-off. However, in a way this is certainly a must read but just not for me.

rachsed's review against another edition

4.0

This was a beautiful story about family and belonging. This is more character-driven, not so much plot. The characters felt very real and were written with empathy. Each character had their flaws as well as strengths.

sunset8305's review against another edition

5.0

I only picked this up because my book club recommended it. Despite all the buzz I’d been hearing, I wasn’t looking forward to it. I was wrong. This is one of the most beautifully written stories I’ve read in ages, weaving together so many characters, timeframes, perspectives and stories in such a seamless, oftentimes heart-wrenching, manner. My favorite aspect of this story is just how real it is - there are so many cultural elements that had me nodding along, flooding me with memories of my own childhood as the daughter of immigrants.

I often reflect on how many self-imposed rules that religion and certain cultures instill in people, which undoubtedly leaves me frustrated and angered at times. I loved how this story is able to intertwine both sides to the equation: the kids-turned-adults whose childhoods were painfully similar to mine in too many ways, but also the parents who were simply trying to do the best they could while navigating a foreign world. That’s really what seemed to resonate most with me - everyone’s just doing the best they can.

sarfah's review against another edition

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction and Drug abuse