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christajls's review
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A thought provoking book about the role and impact of NGOs operating in the Global South. As a graduate of an international development program there was a lot of familiar ideas and characters. I’m not sure how I feel about the ending but overall I think it’s worth reading as we consider the impact of our ‘charitable’ work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Colonisation, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Racism
teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was only on my radar because it was a finalist. It intrigued me, but one big thing I wanted was a conclusion, which I felt we do not get in anyway. This was a big detractor for me. I wasn't really sure of the trajectory and it felt a bit like the main character's life took away from the other events and I didn't see how that part fit. Overall, I enjoyed it, though it was challenging in content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Infidelity and Racism
brittanyreadsy's review
4.0
**NetGalley and the Publisher allowed me the chance to ARC read this book but that does not determine how I review this book**
We Meant Well by Erum Shazia Hasan is a well written and really pushes you to think more. This book is narrated by the FMC, Maya. Maya works remotely for an orphanage when one day she gets a call to come in due to r@pe allegations against a co-worker.
The ending was a bit predictable but somehow was still able to shock me a little.
Could not give more praise to this debut author? Book out Aprill 11, 2023
We Meant Well by Erum Shazia Hasan is a well written and really pushes you to think more. This book is narrated by the FMC, Maya. Maya works remotely for an orphanage when one day she gets a call to come in due to r@pe allegations against a co-worker.
The ending was a bit predictable but somehow was still able to shock me a little.
Could not give more praise to this debut author? Book out Aprill 11, 2023
efullante's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
moniipeters's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kellyannebryant's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
neethuraghavan676's review
5.0
This book definitely deserves a five star. But this was such a disturbing one. Maya's life, the poverty stricken lives of Likanni, and the dilemma when you have to take a stand when someone you have known for years is accused of raping another person you have know since years- everything will disturb the reader more than the racism, hardships of the people, breakup and other issues.
Anything around rape is very difficult to read for me. When Lele, the victim demanded to be married to the rapist, it wasn't shocking at all. It is always the victim that the society blames and they dont have a choice. The only solution the society forces on her is marrying the rapist, deliver his child and lead a prestigious life.
We feel that the protagonist, Maya is trustworthy that she stand up for the people of Likhanni, she protects them, do everything in their favor which indeed would serve justice, but at times, but her thoughts are no different from that of any foreigner. But then we are all so selfish at times, atleast I am Maya most of the time :)
Anything around rape is very difficult to read for me. When Lele, the victim demanded to be married to the rapist, it wasn't shocking at all. It is always the victim that the society blames and they dont have a choice. The only solution the society forces on her is marrying the rapist, deliver his child and lead a prestigious life.
We feel that the protagonist, Maya is trustworthy that she stand up for the people of Likhanni, she protects them, do everything in their favor which indeed would serve justice, but at times, but her thoughts are no different from that of any foreigner. But then we are all so selfish at times, atleast I am Maya most of the time :)
adam613's review
4.0
We Meant Well is quite the debut written with a propulsive energy that keeps things moving along and full of dialogue discussing some of the intricacies of relations to communities these organizations are mandated to help, yet get lost in their own colonial bureaucracy. This book has a bunch of topics to process including an intense look at NGOs, colonialism, interoffice relations and
victim and rape culture.
"I started this career wanting to heal the world of its ills. I've since learned that when you make a career out of helping the starved, you somehow become part of what is starving them."
"Wouldn't it be freeing to be so historically untethered, to not be defensive of the past? To accuse, even the ones we love."
"Everything here is part of everything elsewhere. We can close our eyes, switch the channel, get on a plane, but we are still part of it, making it happen in some way. There's no escaping it."
"You ask how you we get through things, this is how. We consider every single decision, every act. That way we know every footprint we leave is honest. And if it's not, we acknowledge and apologize. We try to fix it."
"I felt nauseous, wanting to scream that the need for this charity would disappear if these people simply paid their taxes."
"They have broken mores, young girls, injuring communities at their deepest, for it's the mothers and sisters who march these parts forward, who take people from day to night and to day again. It's the women who make poverty palpable, make it a game for their children to survive. They tell stories, yell and laugh, provide breastmilk, plan marriages, organize funerals, and cook, keeping the adrenaline gushing, the blood running in the young ones, so that they have something to live for. When the women break, entire strands of culture, tradition, and love wither."
"You know I think you're a gem. But you can't be impartial, it's impossible."
"The door closes behind me. It's like this place has a second life at night. Like the earth is breathing out, exhaling its sighs, its whimpers of pain, its aches from the broiling day. The crickets, the fireflies, a multitude of other forms of existence make their songs. I sit on the front steps and light my cigarette, relishing the sound of flame igniting paper. I don't even like smoking. I like sitting for a moment, inhaling, hearing paper burn. A pause, the cigarette, an hourglass."
"You have to live your politics, otherwise you are bullshit."
"We foreigners always get the seat. Is it because we're weaker or because years of subservience have trained the locals to put us on a pedestal, even when they are angry?"
victim and rape culture.
"I started this career wanting to heal the world of its ills. I've since learned that when you make a career out of helping the starved, you somehow become part of what is starving them."
"Wouldn't it be freeing to be so historically untethered, to not be defensive of the past? To accuse, even the ones we love."
"Everything here is part of everything elsewhere. We can close our eyes, switch the channel, get on a plane, but we are still part of it, making it happen in some way. There's no escaping it."
"You ask how you we get through things, this is how. We consider every single decision, every act. That way we know every footprint we leave is honest. And if it's not, we acknowledge and apologize. We try to fix it."
"I felt nauseous, wanting to scream that the need for this charity would disappear if these people simply paid their taxes."
"They have broken mores, young girls, injuring communities at their deepest, for it's the mothers and sisters who march these parts forward, who take people from day to night and to day again. It's the women who make poverty palpable, make it a game for their children to survive. They tell stories, yell and laugh, provide breastmilk, plan marriages, organize funerals, and cook, keeping the adrenaline gushing, the blood running in the young ones, so that they have something to live for. When the women break, entire strands of culture, tradition, and love wither."
"You know I think you're a gem. But you can't be impartial, it's impossible."
"The door closes behind me. It's like this place has a second life at night. Like the earth is breathing out, exhaling its sighs, its whimpers of pain, its aches from the broiling day. The crickets, the fireflies, a multitude of other forms of existence make their songs. I sit on the front steps and light my cigarette, relishing the sound of flame igniting paper. I don't even like smoking. I like sitting for a moment, inhaling, hearing paper burn. A pause, the cigarette, an hourglass."
"You have to live your politics, otherwise you are bullshit."
"We foreigners always get the seat. Is it because we're weaker or because years of subservience have trained the locals to put us on a pedestal, even when they are angry?"