Reviews

A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

jennyvetvik's review against another edition

5.0

I actually really loved this book and have frequently thought about it since I finished it. It is a beautiful exposition of a Muslim family living in California. It grapples with so many different issues, and the writing was breathtakingly beautiful. The best part was the last chapters, written as a letter from the father's perspective to his estranged son, and that absolutely broke me. Love love loved this book. 

haroon's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful 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

5.0

Absolutely loved this book! I feel like it did a great job capturing the lived experience of a Muslim / South Asian American family. I found myself crying at some events in the book. 

paigewporter's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

bibliobrandie's review against another edition

I tried with this book, I really did. But it’s just not working for me. The jumping around in time has no rhythm to it. The family/characters are interesting but the story is slow. I’m interested in knowing how this ends but not that interested. Since I already finished a book I didn’t enjoy this month, I’m throwing in the towel.

lucyka's review against another edition

4.0

Beautifully drawn characters and family relationships. Poignant reflections on Islam and parenthood hood.

breannamontoya's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

rishmac's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

4.5

larafrances's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

lindsayaunderwood's review against another edition

5.0

Super emotional multi-generational story about a Muslim family dealing with a daughter's non-arranged marriage, an overly angry father, and an estranged son. Loved it so much.

racheyohh'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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I wanted more closure to this and really wanted them to reunite in the end 😭

That said, I did enjoy this. The beginning was a bit slow, jumping all over time and perspectives without giving much warning, so it took me a second to get into it and figure out where it was going. Afterwards I was definitely more invested but it just kept breaking my heart! So much love between all of them and just such misunderstandings and communication issues 😢. You could really feel for the characters though and I could relate to a lot of aspects in it. I was glad we got the Dad’s perspective by the end but it definitely brought some tears.