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katalinareads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
frombethanysbookshelf's review
4.0
Someone Like Her is a sweeping, epic tale that holds a lens to the complexity of society and tradition; the beauty but also the very real risks of corruption and danger that come with it to.
It’s somehow both delicate and harsh at the same time — with beautiful lyrical prose and moments of real heart and emotion, contrasted with deep heartbreak and trauma. Ayesha was a wonderful storyteller, and I can say I’m rather impressed with Khans characterisation of her; a lot of women written by men have a lack of nuance, with something fundamentally missing or just outright sexist but she seems to have been written with real care for the trials of women and through a feminist lens that tries to understand.
The recurring themes in this story would make it a perfect book club pick because there’s so much to discuss; generational trauma, tradition, family, love, misogyny, freedom — it captures so many parts of the human experience and reminds us how so many people experience oppression or corruption today in ways we often forget. The story moves quickly, the characters detailed and distinct, and while the scenes are set against everyday backdrops, there is a quiet fear that comes from powerful families, corrupt traditions and oppressive standards.
With bold storytelling, rich settings, complex characters and an emotionally intense plot, Someone Like Her is quite simply beautiful.
It’s somehow both delicate and harsh at the same time — with beautiful lyrical prose and moments of real heart and emotion, contrasted with deep heartbreak and trauma. Ayesha was a wonderful storyteller, and I can say I’m rather impressed with Khans characterisation of her; a lot of women written by men have a lack of nuance, with something fundamentally missing or just outright sexist but she seems to have been written with real care for the trials of women and through a feminist lens that tries to understand.
The recurring themes in this story would make it a perfect book club pick because there’s so much to discuss; generational trauma, tradition, family, love, misogyny, freedom — it captures so many parts of the human experience and reminds us how so many people experience oppression or corruption today in ways we often forget. The story moves quickly, the characters detailed and distinct, and while the scenes are set against everyday backdrops, there is a quiet fear that comes from powerful families, corrupt traditions and oppressive standards.
With bold storytelling, rich settings, complex characters and an emotionally intense plot, Someone Like Her is quite simply beautiful.
judefire33's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Firstly huge thanks to Danielle and Karen at Orenda Books for kindly gifting me a review copy of Someone Like Her.
Having just finished Someone Like Her a couple of hours ago, all I can say is wow and I’m still reeling!
Someone Like Her revolves around Ayesha, who lives in a conservative city called Muthan. She’s 27, she’s independent, outspoken and unmarried….all of which are huge sins in Pakistani culture, especially any woman who is unmarried over the age of 25!
We follow Ayesha as she dates her boyfriend of several years, and also works for a charity supporting women who are survivors of domestic abuse which is rife in Pakistan. Her life seems to be going well, apart from her parents wanting her to be married. However when Ayesha has to meet with a powerful and rich man called Raza Masood, to collect a charity donation cheque her life takes a terrible turn for the worst.
This is not a book for the faint-hearted, it’s a study of violence, gossip and misogyny that is still rife in what is a patriarchal society still, in Pakistan. Awais Khan is a master at bringing characters to life from the written word, and Ayesha was such an amazing character. The ordeals she goes through had me so mad and genuinely upset that I had to take a break from reading for a few parts! There is obviously a huge amount of research that has been involved in Someone Like Her, and it shows in the beautiful descriptions of both Pakistan and London, where the book is set.
I was fighting with Ayeesha all the way through the book, and couldn’t wait to see what the outcome would be! Some writers are able to write a character that sticks in your mind, and Ayesha is one. And I’m super impressed that Awais Khan can write from a woman’s point of view especially relating to domestic violence.
The story and plot are as I said extremely hard-hitting, but it is a superbly written book and it’s always amazing to read about other cultures and learn that we can’t all live a Western-styled life, and even if we don’t we can still be happy.
Awais Khan is surely one of THE most talented and important authors of our time, by writing such emotive novels, he is raising awareness that may save a woman’s life from violence. And for that I applaud him. A gripping and tension-filled thriller, that revolves around family, violence and overall love. I read in 3 days!
An absolutely huge 5-star read. Please go out and buy Someone Like Her, you won’t be disappointed!
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