Reviews

Love Marriage by Monica Ali

bookishlifeofbrie's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

christiek's review against another edition

4.0

This book steadily increases the complexity or the characters lives and feelings. I liked the way Ali slowly dials up the tension as the reader comes to understand more about the MC, her family, and her future and more quickly than she does. It becomes satifying to see her move into better understanding and better choices. One of the things I particularly appreciated was how much was left off the page. The story regularly jumps ahead several weeks at a time, and minor incidents are resolved in those gaps and we just get brief updates. It could have been done clumsily, but I think Ali nails it here. 

simonedebrouwer's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

mmg2705's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective relaxing 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

4.5

sjrthomps's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

3.5

eabenson's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

soniajordan266's review against another edition

emotional funny fast-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

4.5

so many twists and turns I gasped out loud !! a perfect depiction of the messy but wonderful experience of growing up in an immigrant family

chrissiemwright's review against another edition

emotional hopeful relaxing 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

anjalisudarsan's review against another edition

3.0

The storytelling style in this book was beautiful- the flow felt so refreshing and I could really connect with each character. Although I absolutely hated every character I could understand their frame of thinking and how real they were.
The book felt a bit too dragged, but an enjoyable read

hannahmayreads's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-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

3.5

Nobody does complicated characters like Ali, but her very particular talent is that when her characters do bad things we do not judge them. Her ability to ascribe humanity to everyone is remarkable. Like us, they are just human and it is our lot in life to be flawed, complex beings who make mistakes and have feelings they cannot always comprehend. A little long perhaps, but it is a meaty novel from good storyteller.