Reviews

History's Angel by Anjum Hasan

shreyabaldwa's review

dark tense slow-paced

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

2.25

Anjum Hassan's History’s Angel talks about the lives of Muslims face in the India of today. Through Alif Mohammad, a history teacher in Delhi, Hassan highlights the day-to-day struggle of an Indian Muslim. She mentions lynching on trains, discrimination Muslims face while finding a house, the rise of religious extremism among Muslims and the snide remarks they get because of their food, dressing and culture. While taking the story forward, Hassan gives the readers a beautiful tour of Delhi. For someone who has lived in Delhi for a few years, some parts in the story made me nostalgic about the quintessential 'Dilli walli' vibe. 

While the premise initially excited me, I couldn't really love this book. There is just too much happening in it. Every other situation in book transports Alif back in time and makes him ponder over some historical figure or event. The frequent and longish references to the past seem like a roadblock in the flow of the story. Personally, I felt the book very history heavy, digressing my mind away from the actual narrative. I did like the second half of the book where the story finally picks up pace. However, the story seemed to flow all over the place and I had to struggle to keep up my interest overall. 

dee_1985's review

dark informative sad medium-paced

3.0

leda's review against another edition

informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

 

Anjum Hasan's book "History's Angel"  takes readers on a poignant journey through the worries and daily struggles of Alif, a gentle Muslim schoolteacher and his family. Set in Delhi in 2019, the book explores the profound impact of India's rising tensions and uncertainties on individuals and communities. The book highlights the disturbing times that Muslims in India are living through, shedding light on the complexities and anxieties of being a minority in a country grappling with its own identity crisis. 

Highly recommended. 

 

dhnewman's review

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

laur31's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0