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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Light read with some irrational plot twists but lots of good food detours to make up for it
A lovely book with wonderful sounding recipes.
The story of three Iranian sisters who escape the revolution to the British isles.
The story of three Iranian sisters who escape the revolution to the British isles.
Wonderful book - multi-cultural, recipes, and unique characters - all things that make my favorite type of "read-for-pleasure" books.
This book reminds me a lot of one of my favorite books, Like Water for Chocolate. I love the way that is centers food and recipes in a story about overcoming hardship and being different in a place where people are all the same. A well written and exciting novel.
emotional
lighthearted
I enjoyed it. It’s definitely not the best book ever but it’s enjoyable. I like the recipes that ties into the story but I wasn’t always a fan of the word choices, especially during the descriptions of bodies.
Wonderful character development between the 3 sisters. I highly recommend this book.
A friend said the author was “trying too hard” and I didn’t know quite what that meant… until I read the book.
I did not like this.
It’s contrived, the characters are stereotypes and cardboard, and the “magical realism” doesn’t fit any of the over-described writing. The fun premise of Like Water for Chocolate meets Waking Ned Devine is utterly obliterated by the poor writing.
When she describes “the surly drinks baron’s” walk up to Estelle’s cottage with phrases like “his hairless thighs” and wiping “his sweaty meat brow” I was done. Mehran clearly attended the adjective abundant school of writing. Also, huge missed opportunity for a quirky, happier ending that involved the “potato head bar owner” getting a disco instead of a coronary.
Lastly, the recipes aren’t good. Many of them don’t work out as if you weren’t really supposed to make them.
I did not like this.
It’s contrived, the characters are stereotypes and cardboard, and the “magical realism” doesn’t fit any of the over-described writing. The fun premise of Like Water for Chocolate meets Waking Ned Devine is utterly obliterated by the poor writing.
When she describes “the surly drinks baron’s” walk up to Estelle’s cottage with phrases like “his hairless thighs” and wiping “his sweaty meat brow” I was done. Mehran clearly attended the adjective abundant school of writing. Also, huge missed opportunity for a quirky, happier ending that involved the “potato head bar owner” getting a disco instead of a coronary.
Lastly, the recipes aren’t good. Many of them don’t work out as if you weren’t really supposed to make them.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Writing is eloquent. The integration of food and subtle magical realism is what was most captivating for me. The pacing could have been better spread out, the emotional/should have been heartwarming ending felt a bit rushed but it's an enjoyable read. Marjan in particular is such a likeable character that you empathise for.