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tami_stars's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
calturner's review
5.0
Someone Like Her by Awais Khan is an incredibly raw and powerful book that really does pull no punches. Often shocking and devastatingly real, it tells the story of twenty seven year old Ayesha, a happily single, independent woman living in Multan, Pakistan.
When Ayesha catches the eye of a powerful, wealthy man, her parents feel like it is a dream come true. Ayesha, however, has other ideas. In love with someone else, she refuses the advances of Raza, preferring to stay true to the one she loves. Unable to accept her rejection, Raza decides to take things into his own hands – and resorts to an unthinkable and devastating revenge.
Trying to rebuild her life in London, Ayesha becomes friends with Kamil, a man who is battling his own demons. With danger lurking at every corner, Ayesha is forced to make a decision that could change everything forever…
Told with an intensity that will take your breath away, Someone Like Her offers an unflinching insight into the treatment of women in Pakistani society. Heartbreaking and moving, it is a book that completely shattered my heart into a million pieces, the characters of Ayesha and Kamil becoming so real to me that I felt as though I knew them inside and out.
To say I loved Someone Like Her would be an understatement. Like No Honour, this is a hard hitting, brave and compelling story of courage and resilience in the face of almost insurmountable adversity. Awais Khan’s words are beautiful and move me in ways I can’t even begin to explain as he brings Ayesha and Kamil’s story vividly to life, stunning me once again with the power and sensitivity of his writing.
Someone Like Her is a breathtakingly honest, raw and beautifully written book that is quite easily one of my favourite reads of the year so far.
Highly recommended.
When Ayesha catches the eye of a powerful, wealthy man, her parents feel like it is a dream come true. Ayesha, however, has other ideas. In love with someone else, she refuses the advances of Raza, preferring to stay true to the one she loves. Unable to accept her rejection, Raza decides to take things into his own hands – and resorts to an unthinkable and devastating revenge.
Trying to rebuild her life in London, Ayesha becomes friends with Kamil, a man who is battling his own demons. With danger lurking at every corner, Ayesha is forced to make a decision that could change everything forever…
Told with an intensity that will take your breath away, Someone Like Her offers an unflinching insight into the treatment of women in Pakistani society. Heartbreaking and moving, it is a book that completely shattered my heart into a million pieces, the characters of Ayesha and Kamil becoming so real to me that I felt as though I knew them inside and out.
To say I loved Someone Like Her would be an understatement. Like No Honour, this is a hard hitting, brave and compelling story of courage and resilience in the face of almost insurmountable adversity. Awais Khan’s words are beautiful and move me in ways I can’t even begin to explain as he brings Ayesha and Kamil’s story vividly to life, stunning me once again with the power and sensitivity of his writing.
Someone Like Her is a breathtakingly honest, raw and beautifully written book that is quite easily one of my favourite reads of the year so far.
Highly recommended.
rosie18's review
dark
medium-paced
2.0
This could have been a great story... in the hands of a better author. The characters were all incredibly one dimensional (especially the pantomime villain), with no subtlety. In fact, it all felt a bit heavy handed - "show, don't tell."
floradora03's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Another book from my crime subscription. Didn’t enjoy this very much. Wanted to like it as was very interested in the context set in Pakistan initially. Found the main character to be frustratingly naive and irritating in parts. The story shifts to London but she still hasn’t managed to shake off her tormentor.
aprilyvonne's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Someone Like Her” by Awais Khan was an incredibly powerful piece of writing. Although it was an easy read to get through, I found the subject quite painful at times. This did slow me down as I needed time to process and prepare.
The story follows a young modern Pakistani woman just living her life while slightly moving against the tides of tradition in her community. Ayesha works for a charity organization that centres around the safety and wellbeing of women after experiencing severe domestic violence. The book blurb warns of similar violence against a main character, but it still wasn’t any easier to digest. Nor is the fact that despite the book being fictional, femicide and violence against women and girls is still a reality all around the world.
Despite the darker side of these issues portrayed in the novel, the interesting characterization and dual POVs added a genuine element to the plot. I appreciated how Khan brought these issues to the forefront while also including men as sometimes being the victims as well. The special attention to detail, the positive commentary on therapy, found family, and resilience were other aspects I truly enjoyed.
Overall, I’m glad to have read this book, especially before I attend the Emirates LitFest next month. Looking forward to hearing the author speak even more so now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Torture, Classism, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Sexism, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Trafficking, Violence, and Gaslighting
booksbybindu's review
5.0
‘Someone Like Her’ is a beautifully drawn tale of abuse, acceptance and the power of reclaiming your life from your abuser. After, reading ‘No Honour’ I knew that Awais Khan was determined to give a voice to women who suffer in Pakistan and once again this is proven true. This time he is giving a voice to women whose lives are devastated by being attacked with acid. This is a hard read but a powerful one. But overall there is a message of hope and a yearning for the change that is occurring. I was blown away by this book, it is tremendous.
Ayesha is a young woman living in Multan, Pakistan. She is 27 and determined to live life on her own terms. She doesn't want an arranged marriage and she works for a charity that helps domestic abuse victims. When she catches the eye of wealthy Raza, her parents are delighted. However, Ayesha wants nothing to do with him as she is in love with someone else. But she knows that her family would not accept him due to his financial circumstances. Raza is determined that he is going to get the girl and Ayesha’s reluctance causes him to do the unthinkable.
Ayesha travels to London in an attempt to rebuild her life. She is staying with a family friend and there she meets Kamil, a man who is also emotionally damaged. They embark on a friendship, one that helps to heal both of them. But danger finds Ayesha even in London.
Ayesha was a character that is beautifully constructed and I was rooting for her from the start. Already defying societies construct - she is unmarried at 27, has a boyfriend, works for a living and doesn't cover her hair. She is independent, fierce, loyal, determined to help women through the charity that she works at. She may only do the accounts but she wholeheartedly agrees with their mission to help women in domestic violence situations. But when she finds herself in this horrid situation of being swept along with Raza she still has this inner core of steel. Even after the horrific attack she has the will to live and fight. She is tenacious and I loved seeing her start to thrive again in a safe environment in London.
Kamil was another character that was beautifully drawn. His vulnerability, anger and confusion over what happened to him was elegantly written. Male domestic abuse victims are hard-pressed to find acceptance even in the UK. It's not something that is widely talked about and I am sure it's even more of a taboo in an Asian household/society where patriarchy is the norm. Kamil stole a bit of my heart and I am never giving it back.
Awais is a master at creating characters that you fall for and he has managed it again with Ayesha and Kamil and even in a way with Raza. As a reader, you HATE HIM WITH ABANDON! It is Awais’s amazing writing that allows us to feel this way. These will be characters that will live in my psyche for a long time and I will always be wondering what they are getting up to.
So this was a subject which I knew nothing about. Yes, I knew there was a problem of course with women finding it hard to assert their independence in a conservative country but the rise of acid attacks was a horrific revelation. I have since done a lot of research. The official figures of 400 acid attacks per year in Pakistan are lower than what is probably happening, as so many women don’t report it. I read an article on the BBC and a doctor was saying he saw at least one or two patients a week who has suffered from an attack and he was based in Multan. Which would mean if going by official figures that Multan sees 25% of all acid attacks in Pakistan. Why? That's not something I was able to see a reason for but maybe I am restricted by only being able to access articles in English. But it makes my heart sore. That so many women are having their lives destroyed by acid and the men are getting away with it. The worst part is that many women are forced to return to live with the families/men who perpetuated the attack in the first place!
This is why I love reading books that are set in different cultures. It means you learn about worlds of which you know nothing. I class myself as being well-informed and well read but nothing can prepare for books that shock you like this one did me. Awais gives a voice to women who need it and by doing so he goes against the grain in his home country. That in itself is brave. I hope he is aware of that. He is allowing his writing to place a lens on issues that the government and other conservative groups don't want him to. I am sure that is not an easy thing to do and I applaud him for this!
I'm looking forward to seeing what is coming next from him.
Ayesha is a young woman living in Multan, Pakistan. She is 27 and determined to live life on her own terms. She doesn't want an arranged marriage and she works for a charity that helps domestic abuse victims. When she catches the eye of wealthy Raza, her parents are delighted. However, Ayesha wants nothing to do with him as she is in love with someone else. But she knows that her family would not accept him due to his financial circumstances. Raza is determined that he is going to get the girl and Ayesha’s reluctance causes him to do the unthinkable.
Ayesha travels to London in an attempt to rebuild her life. She is staying with a family friend and there she meets Kamil, a man who is also emotionally damaged. They embark on a friendship, one that helps to heal both of them. But danger finds Ayesha even in London.
Ayesha was a character that is beautifully constructed and I was rooting for her from the start. Already defying societies construct - she is unmarried at 27, has a boyfriend, works for a living and doesn't cover her hair. She is independent, fierce, loyal, determined to help women through the charity that she works at. She may only do the accounts but she wholeheartedly agrees with their mission to help women in domestic violence situations. But when she finds herself in this horrid situation of being swept along with Raza she still has this inner core of steel. Even after the horrific attack she has the will to live and fight. She is tenacious and I loved seeing her start to thrive again in a safe environment in London.
Kamil was another character that was beautifully drawn. His vulnerability, anger and confusion over what happened to him was elegantly written. Male domestic abuse victims are hard-pressed to find acceptance even in the UK. It's not something that is widely talked about and I am sure it's even more of a taboo in an Asian household/society where patriarchy is the norm. Kamil stole a bit of my heart and I am never giving it back.
Awais is a master at creating characters that you fall for and he has managed it again with Ayesha and Kamil and even in a way with Raza. As a reader, you HATE HIM WITH ABANDON! It is Awais’s amazing writing that allows us to feel this way. These will be characters that will live in my psyche for a long time and I will always be wondering what they are getting up to.
So this was a subject which I knew nothing about. Yes, I knew there was a problem of course with women finding it hard to assert their independence in a conservative country but the rise of acid attacks was a horrific revelation. I have since done a lot of research. The official figures of 400 acid attacks per year in Pakistan are lower than what is probably happening, as so many women don’t report it. I read an article on the BBC and a doctor was saying he saw at least one or two patients a week who has suffered from an attack and he was based in Multan. Which would mean if going by official figures that Multan sees 25% of all acid attacks in Pakistan. Why? That's not something I was able to see a reason for but maybe I am restricted by only being able to access articles in English. But it makes my heart sore. That so many women are having their lives destroyed by acid and the men are getting away with it. The worst part is that many women are forced to return to live with the families/men who perpetuated the attack in the first place!
This is why I love reading books that are set in different cultures. It means you learn about worlds of which you know nothing. I class myself as being well-informed and well read but nothing can prepare for books that shock you like this one did me. Awais gives a voice to women who need it and by doing so he goes against the grain in his home country. That in itself is brave. I hope he is aware of that. He is allowing his writing to place a lens on issues that the government and other conservative groups don't want him to. I am sure that is not an easy thing to do and I applaud him for this!
I'm looking forward to seeing what is coming next from him.
nadiamasood's review
This is a bold attempt by a Pakistani author. It takes courage to write about a country in a negative way and address topics that are considered taboo.
Make a list of all the possible triggers. This book has them all. It’s incredibly raw, dark, and horrifying. The story is grounded in reality, which makes reading it difficult and heartbreaking.
It’s a well-written story. There’s a message of hope, and the book thankfully ends on a positive note.
Make a list of all the possible triggers. This book has them all. It’s incredibly raw, dark, and horrifying. The story is grounded in reality, which makes reading it difficult and heartbreaking.
It’s a well-written story. There’s a message of hope, and the book thankfully ends on a positive note.
cassiecat's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I’ve heard such a positive buzz about this book that I just had to read it. It’s my first book by this author.
The book is told from two POV, the first is Ayesha who is a not so ‘young’ unmarried independent thinking woman of 27 living in Multan Pakistan. Her family once wealthy, but now fallen on hard times are desperate to get her a wealthy match. Ayesha has already broken with tradition by having a job at a charity helping woman suffering from domestic abuse, and an unsuitable boyfriend who she is desperate to be with. Added to the mix is Raza, her parents idea of an ideal match as he is wealthy and obsessed with Ayesha.
The second is Kamil living in London. He is an emotionally damaged man with demons of his own. He and Ayesha meet when she travels to London to rebuild her life.
The dual locations work really well, as much as I enjoy new locations there’s a lot to be said for some familiarity.
It’s a story of love, family,honour/ dishonour, corruption, courage and hope crossing continents. It’s a dark gritty story which impacts on your emotions. The level of injustice and inequality based not only on social standing and wealth but sex is horrendous.
I liked the dual location, continents apart, but it seems that mindsets and beliefs aren’t so very different in the vastly outwardly different cultures. The writing style adds to the cultural experience.
There are several characters whose behaviours made my blood boil!
Multon is described with such precision that it almost feels like a character in its own right, readers who have never visited can picture themselves there. Using a few words of the Seraiki language added more of a feel too.
I loved it, and must read another of this authors that’s been languishing in my tbr pile. It’s a cracking storyline with eye opening cultural horrors.
zuureads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.0
raven88's review
4.0
Having previously reviewed Awais Khan’s In The Company of Strangers, and No Honour, I could not resist the opportunity to read Someone Like Her, and once again become immersed in the everyday life and culture of Pakistan, and to follow one exceptional woman’s journey from fear to freedom…
As in his two previous books, Khan once again shows the same extremely finely nuanced and sensitive writing, permeating both the main narrative and his characterisation. As he inveigles us in the lives of both Ayesha- initially a headstrong and assertive young woman and charity worker in Pakistan- and Kamil- a gentle, but emotionally damaged man in London- Khan puts both his characters under extreme emotional pressure, but never loses sight of the stronger qualities of their characters, which raises hope in the reader that all will be well as they navigate their difficulties in life.
This is particularly resonant in Ayesha who sees her life self destruct, when she arouses the attention of Raza, a powerful, persistent and utterly ruthless suitor. He strongly put me in mind of one those sinister moustache twirling figures from the silent movie age, who revelled in tying up defenceless young women to rail-tracks, or as an archetypal rogue from a Lollywood movie. He is a villain through and through, and as Khan slowly reveals to us the pernicious breaking down of Ayesha’s confidence and feeling of self-worth as Raza tightens the screw of his influence in her life, with tragic consequences, I defy anyone not to be moved by her plight. Raza literally infiltrates every sphere of her life, threatening her family’s livelihood, scaring off her erstwhile boyfriend, and the cataclysm of his physical action towards her, results in her whole life being uprooted. Khan handles all this marvellously, arousing such resentment and indignation in the reader toward Raza, and genuine empathy with Ayesha, that feel utterly terrified for her, as the scope and power of Raza’s influence puts a stranglehold on her. As much as we see her shrinking and withdrawing into herself, from her previous strength and confidence, little glimmers of the real Ayesha remain, as her troubles result in her escaping to London, but is escape really possible?
As the action relocates to London, we then enter the lives of another family, headed by the matriarchal Jamila Aunty, a family friend and mother of Kamil and Sharmeela (Shar), and their father Akbar. As Ayesha is taken firmly under the wing of the Khans, this allows the author to introduce a level of levity and humour to the book, as Jamila is a force of nature, with both her children recognising that, despite her outspoken nature, therein lies a heart of gold. In Kamil, Ayesha meets a kindred damaged soul, and again this allows Khan to explore the thin line that lies between the abuse that both women and men can experience at the hands of others, and the long term repercussions, and road to recovery, that brings a path back to life, and love. As events unfold, and their tentative connection becomes stronger, they will need their combined strength to navigate Ayesha’s way back to freedom. Although I felt that Kamil’s character was a little less well-developed than Ayesha’s, the combination of their shared experience together was never less than powerfully moving and affecting.
This change of setting also allows to Khan to draw distinctions between the mores of traditional Pakistani society, and its mercurial and chaotic nature, with that of London. As much as Ayesha slightly circumvents traditional female behaviour in her homeland, Khan is given the scope to highlight the distinctions between Ayesha’s previous small acts of rebellion, to the worldly wise Shar, who also performs her own acts of rebellion to Jamila Aunty. The difference between the Pakistani female experience in both countries is beautifully explored and I also enjoyed seeing London, as if for the first time, through the wide eyed innocence of Ayesha as she finds herself uprooted from the familiar confines of home.
Awais Khan never fails to grab his reader by the heart from the outset of his books, and the sensitivity and depth with which he imbues his characters is pretty much faultless. His villain is beautifully portrayed, with that killer combination of good looks, charm and wealth hiding the darkest of souls. Ayesha is the heroine of the piece, trying to overcome the worst of experiences and regain her former confidence, but danger is never far away, and Kamil as the understated and sensitive salve to her misfortune and master of his own. I loved Someone Like Her and can highly recommend this latest book to you. Just make sure you have tissues and chocolate to hand…