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caprivoyant's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Rape, Misogyny, Death, Suicide, and Alcoholism
Minor: Abortion and Colonisation
puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Grief, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Rape, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Sexism
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Self harm, Abortion, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcoholism
ratnix's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Abortion, Sexual assault, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
clovetra's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ill be honest, i find trying to put my thoughts of this novel into words is quite difficult. i have many feelings over this story.
i felt like crying most of the time whilst reading this book. i did not expect this book to be *this* harrowing.
i love how there are perspectives from all three generations, and i enjoyed seeing each woman challenge the others thoughts and at times reinforce them.
ill be honest and say many aspects of this book were played up with an air of mystery, which seemed quite predictable for me. i don't feel like its right for me to comment on if its predictable nature was fair or not, but i will say it was a tad frustrating solely from a reader's perspective when mysteries were dragged on for so long.
i'll also say i am a bit disappointed at the ending. i understand the point of the last chapter - im not mad about that. i more so would've liked to see a general change in the atmosphere of fareeda's household. sure change doesn't happen over night, but i don't know, even possibly a chapter of fareeda
im conflicted on this book. it was quite a serious, emotional, and heavy story, which i usually stray from (i use my books as escapism, so reading incredibly depressing books usually destroys my mental health), but i will say this was written incredibly well. it feels tone-deaf to describe the writing as "beautiful" due to the content & subtext of this book, but i will say etaf rum has a magnificent way with words - it toes the line of lyrical yet colloquial which i adored.
i was very tempted to give this 5 stars, but i didn't scramble to read this book at certain parts, but i will say at the end of part II is when i got really into this book. before that, i wont deny, i was gripped by the plot, but only once the plot picked up, so did my interest. i also do think some of the speech the characters use is a bit forced and clunky, but it wasn't a glaring issue
the book can also be a bit repetitive at times with its dialogue, and it does sometimes feel like groundhog day. i feel i cant properly fault the book on this issue as it fits in its context, but yet again, as a reader it was a bit boring. that feels mean im so sorry
i don't know. i feel like this review is all over the place. and honestly, that's how i felt emotionally reading this book. i can see myself loving this book a lot more through a re-read though.
Graphic: Alcohol, Pregnancy, Murder, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Suicide, Sexual violence, Miscarriage, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Minor: Genocide
jordynkw's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Alcohol, Gore, Suicide attempt, Violence, Abortion, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Mental illness, Blood, and Self harm
underwaterlauren's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Blood, Alcoholism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
Minor: Abortion, Islamophobia, and Alcohol
jlfields925's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual violence, Death, Rape, Alcohol, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, and Violence
Moderate: Child death and Car accident
Minor: Islamophobia, Abortion, and Miscarriage
rmaff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
All that being said, this is the best, most moving and gripping book I've read in years. Although the story was mercilessly dark and hard to read at times, I could not put it down. I feel a new sense of appreciation for my own culture where I am a woman who's free to make my own choices; and I feel enlightened to how women in other cultures are treated and seen (or not).
After the big reveal around the 2/3 mark I wasn't sure how the rest of the story would play out but that final chapter was heart-wrenching.
Every woman should read this book regardless of their race, cultural background or home.
Graphic: Rape, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Xenophobia
ranbara's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Self harm, Murder, Rape, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Drug use, Islamophobia, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcohol, and Death
Minor: Car accident
karo_g's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Abortion, Grief, Alcohol, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Rape