Scan barcode
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.0
Celestial Bodies is a multi-generational family saga, looking at the intertwined households of two Omani families. It is the first book by an Omani woman to be translated into English. It found it to be a challenging book in a couple of ways. After several attempts on audio I managed to track down an ebook and tandem read which helped considerably, although the book was still a challenge. Part of it is the structure. The chapters are mostly short and frequently switch point of view. Many are in the third person, but Abdallah’s are in the first person. The large cast of characters- the family tree in the ebook helped somewhat- and the constant switching made it difficult to settle into the story. The other challenging factor was that the chapters moved back and forward in time in no discernible order. Additionally I felt the ending was open to several interpretations and I wish I had been reading with a group so I could have discussed it with other readers.
In other words this is a book that requires plenty of effort and concentration from the reader. Thankfully I felt my effort was worth it. It was a complicated family story which I always enjoy, one which highlighted the challenges faced by women, challenges which some navigated to their own advantage better than others. However, the story also emphasised the way traditional societal practices had negative impacts on men as well. I couldn’t help but feel for Abdallah, who suffered at the hands of an abusive father and whose wife did not love him the way way he loved her. While reading this novel I built up a picture of Omani society, the way it traditionally operated and the way it changed, little by little, over the twentieth century, from an insular, patriarchal slave holding society to one where western influences and practises were more pervasive. The uneasy coexistence of the old and the new was evident, as were the class divides and disparities of wealth. While I struggled to settle into the flow of the story, the big picture as it were, many of the chapters were excellent, and the novel included some compelling character studies.
In other words this is a book that requires plenty of effort and concentration from the reader. Thankfully I felt my effort was worth it. It was a complicated family story which I always enjoy, one which highlighted the challenges faced by women, challenges which some navigated to their own advantage better than others. However, the story also emphasised the way traditional societal practices had negative impacts on men as well. I couldn’t help but feel for Abdallah, who suffered at the hands of an abusive father and whose wife did not love him the way way he loved her. While reading this novel I built up a picture of Omani society, the way it traditionally operated and the way it changed, little by little, over the twentieth century, from an insular, patriarchal slave holding society to one where western influences and practises were more pervasive. The uneasy coexistence of the old and the new was evident, as were the class divides and disparities of wealth. While I struggled to settle into the flow of the story, the big picture as it were, many of the chapters were excellent, and the novel included some compelling character studies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Slavery
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Ableism
bookishcori's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Child death, Child abuse, and Slavery
Minor: Ableism and Suicidal thoughts
bodiesinbooks's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Murder
More...