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ellagoodman's review
3.0
full disclosure, i read this book for English class, but i thoroughly enjoyed it.
i’m writing an essay on the character Lillian Gordon and whether she was a white savior or had pure intentions. she, like my favorite parts of this book, is not cookie-cutter, black-and-white, good-or-bad (although there are a few purely evil side characters).
the narrator and main character Jasmine is visibly imperfect. she makes, and repeats, a lot of rash/immoral decisions. analyzing her story was good fun, even though she wasn’t likable.
the storytelling is unique and jumps around time and place and identities, but i got used to it once i settled into the book. it’s always told from Jasmine’s perspective, but she takes on different names and personas throughout the book, assigning them to different parts of her life. for me, the non-linear style added to the reading experience, because it’s how Jasmine would tell her own life story.
the most valuable part of the book for me is how many conversation topics it brings up. English class is always entertaining when Jasmine’s in the room. if you want to talk about race, sexism, identity, disability, America, and the morals of being a homewrecker, you should ask a friend to read Jasmine with you.
i’m writing an essay on the character Lillian Gordon and whether she was a white savior or had pure intentions. she, like my favorite parts of this book, is not cookie-cutter, black-and-white, good-or-bad (although there are a few purely evil side characters).
the narrator and main character Jasmine is visibly imperfect. she makes, and repeats, a lot of rash/immoral decisions. analyzing her story was good fun, even though she wasn’t likable.
the storytelling is unique and jumps around time and place and identities, but i got used to it once i settled into the book. it’s always told from Jasmine’s perspective, but she takes on different names and personas throughout the book, assigning them to different parts of her life. for me, the non-linear style added to the reading experience, because it’s how Jasmine would tell her own life story.
the most valuable part of the book for me is how many conversation topics it brings up. English class is always entertaining when Jasmine’s in the room. if you want to talk about race, sexism, identity, disability, America, and the morals of being a homewrecker, you should ask a friend to read Jasmine with you.
emmawoody03's review
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? No
5.0
abarone121's review
4.0
Another one read for my fem lit class, perhaps my favorite of the semester. I loved the narrative of this book and although I didn't necessarily love the choices Jasmine made, I understood them and respect her character.
nferre's review
5.0
I wasn't sure when I started this if it would be Indian chick lit. Hard to tell from the cover - but it wasn't. This was gritty and at times difficult to read. The story of a young Indian girl who becomes a widow at age 17 and is sentenced to a life of waiting to die together with all the other widows from her region. She gets out and emigrates to the US, but the voyage, the arrival, her first couple of years define the rest of her life. Her insight into the mind of the recent illegal immigrant is masterful. Her transformation into an "American" is poignant, as are her observations, from New York nannies to Iowa farmers. One of the strengths of the book, is Jasmine herself, who while victimized, never allows herself the self-indulgence of victimization.
ummtara's review
4.0
I read this book in a post-colonial literature class. I was expecting it to be a tired story under an oriental gaze but I pleasantly could not have been more wrong. This novel made me cheer, laugh, love, and definitely cry. I am a slow reader but I could not put this down and read it in two days. Jasmine was everything I wanted from a book: beautiful writing, exciting plot, an iconic feminist protagonist, and central themes that were fresh and authentic.
neuschb's review
3.0
Those interested in intersecting cultures and quests for identity should find plenty to appreciate.
storystruck's review
4.0
4.5 Stars
What a beautiful, surprising novel. I never knew where it was going. The prose is gorgeous, the protagonist is layered and overall the story feels both achingly real and dreamlike.
What a beautiful, surprising novel. I never knew where it was going. The prose is gorgeous, the protagonist is layered and overall the story feels both achingly real and dreamlike.
kristinrob's review
3.0
Book Club - February 2013
This was an enjoyable quick read, but it felt like an outline for a much larger story.
We meet a handful of fascinating characters along the way, but we are always kept at arms length. I don't know whether this is symbolic, in much the way Jasmine keeps many people close, but not too close; or if each of the characters has his own story that wants to get out, but this isn't their time to shine.
This was an enjoyable quick read, but it felt like an outline for a much larger story.
We meet a handful of fascinating characters along the way, but we are always kept at arms length. I don't know whether this is symbolic, in much the way Jasmine keeps many people close, but not too close; or if each of the characters has his own story that wants to get out, but this isn't their time to shine.
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