Reviews

Let me just summarize how this book made me feel.

It gives hope. Hope that most of us need when we fall in love with a person we know we shouldn’t have in the first place. Its the typical ‘if you love someone, let him/her go, if he/her comes back to you then it is meant to be”

But in this case, under who’s work that it all worked out for Sammar? Her prayers as being a true believer or the fact that somehow Rae decided to change? And did the feeling of wanting change came to Rae because of her prayer?

It’s like it was necessary for the parting between them to lead to that ending. It’s like it was already the initial plan of God.

But then again, we are all not Sammar or Rae. Because sometimes when it just couldn’t work out with a Rae, a Sammar might find a Richard or a Randall or even a Ramli.

We hope and we pray. We pray for what’s best for us, because something we want it’s not always best for us.

Lucky for Sammar, who she wants is also the person best for her.

evareading's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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? No

5.0

sammibreads's review

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3.75

Finished on the couch while Ellis is making pizzas.

I can’t really imagine being religious so the way Sammar talks in this book is very interesting. Kind of didn’t want to know how it ended?

flamingokrysten's review against another edition

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4.0

Beautifully written with a poetic narration. I read this book for a class and I could write endlessly about the detailed dynamic the author created with great care. However, to keep this short, the way the author used first person and third person as a way to discuss the theme of identity was amazing. The other theme of spirituality is intertwined heavily with identity and created a strong impact. I also really liked the way the weather effected the mood of the main characters as well as the use of location as a way to play into the themes. The story is thoughtful, raw, and relatable.

shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition

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I had never heard of this book, or the author, but wanted to read it when I noticed that the author was coming to the Festival of Faith and Writing in April. It's a short novel about a young Muslim widow living in Scotland who falls in love with the professor for whom she is translating. Her strong Muslim faith and his lack of faith are the complications around which the story unfolds. It was interesting to read a novel by a Sudanese author. While I didn't always understand the character's decisions, I liked the novel and will read another by Leila Aboulela: 'Minaret: A Novel.'

rchll's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

3.5

hamletslover's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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