Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
Very thoughtful examination of the post-9/11 hysteria towards Muslims. For me, at times difficult to read, but worthwhile. The final short section, set several years in the future, is disappointing, though.
I really enjoyed this, even though I think it has some obvious limitations and especially since it's part of a whole sub-genre of literature these days, where ensemble casts interact somewhat soap operatically around a social issue of the day, which lately seems to be 9.11.
But in spite of that, I really liked it. Part of my appreciation might be the timing, that I'm reading this book as its still in the news cycle and not well after it like I usually do. But there are other factors, too, and I do think some of the characters are fresher, and more challenging, than they are in books striving for such mass appeal. I'd start with the character of Mohammad Khan, who I think is a real character instead of a mouthpiece or a signifier. I liked his ambition and his arrogance, the very everydayness of his concerns. I think there's a bit of a cheat in the ending, but in good ways, he reminded me of Lenny from Super Sad True Love Story as someone who honored and transcended his cultural matrix. The character of Sean came close, and I also really liked Asma, for similar reasons.
I didn't like Claire as much, and her hot momness felt more forced on me than genuine, like there was a demographic reach in her character, and her internal struggle never really made sense to me. But such is life.
This is a really interesting, arguably layered exploration of some difficult material, and I think people should read it-- but do it now. In six months, it might not have the same impact at all.
But in spite of that, I really liked it. Part of my appreciation might be the timing, that I'm reading this book as its still in the news cycle and not well after it like I usually do. But there are other factors, too, and I do think some of the characters are fresher, and more challenging, than they are in books striving for such mass appeal. I'd start with the character of Mohammad Khan, who I think is a real character instead of a mouthpiece or a signifier. I liked his ambition and his arrogance, the very everydayness of his concerns. I think there's a bit of a cheat in the ending, but in good ways, he reminded me of Lenny from Super Sad True Love Story as someone who honored and transcended his cultural matrix. The character of Sean came close, and I also really liked Asma, for similar reasons.
I didn't like Claire as much, and her hot momness felt more forced on me than genuine, like there was a demographic reach in her character, and her internal struggle never really made sense to me. But such is life.
This is a really interesting, arguably layered exploration of some difficult material, and I think people should read it-- but do it now. In six months, it might not have the same impact at all.
The best "9/11 novel" I've read so far. Easy to read and yet complex and intriguing. So much that is relevant to our current national conversations.
So far my course for the spring -- Studies in the Novel: The Post 9/11 Experience -- will start with "In the Shadow of No Towers", then read "Falling Man" and "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close", and end with "The Submission." Not sure what else is a must read.
2022 update: Just finished a thrilling class discussion of the last 1/3 of this novel. Many in the class read carefully and thoughtfully, and we could have spent a few weeks just discussing the characters and themes and how it was all so masterfully presented. What the novel as a genre can do! One of the best. SG
So far my course for the spring -- Studies in the Novel: The Post 9/11 Experience -- will start with "In the Shadow of No Towers", then read "Falling Man" and "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close", and end with "The Submission." Not sure what else is a must read.
2022 update: Just finished a thrilling class discussion of the last 1/3 of this novel. Many in the class read carefully and thoughtfully, and we could have spent a few weeks just discussing the characters and themes and how it was all so masterfully presented. What the novel as a genre can do! One of the best. SG
i can't decide how i feel about this book. it's excellently written, with fully realized and conflicted characters, and waldman certainly captures the rawness of the country's emotions at that time. but maybe that's the problem - she so clearly depicts all of the things i hate about this country - the prejudices that bring out the worst in us, that i kept wanting to pitch the book acros the room because i was so angry at the characters. 3 1/2 stars.
4.5 , maybe 5 stars - I was drawn in quickly by the premise of this novel and I was not disappointed. The characters were sharply drawn, the language was dispassionate, yet elegant - all serving as mirror (a literary allegory?) to the memorial. The questions raised by this book are sure to linger.
So many thoughts about this one. On one hand it's a great book -- I was invested in what happened. But at the same time, the topic is almost TOO current and TOO raw.
Waldman did a wonderful job of presenting many different perspectives and opinions believably. There were a few that seemed as if they were caricatures. Just too over -the-top, but at the same time it's possible I just hope people like that don't exist.
My copy is filled with notes and underlined passages...a fantastic book for discussion.
Waldman did a wonderful job of presenting many different perspectives and opinions believably. There were a few that seemed as if they were caricatures. Just too over -the-top, but at the same time it's possible I just hope people like that don't exist.
My copy is filled with notes and underlined passages...a fantastic book for discussion.
I could not shake the idea that this book was meant to be a satire that I just wasn't getting. Unfortunately, I don't think it was.
A beautifully written but heartbreaking novel...perhaps even more so now then when this first came out. The last scene was particularly heart wrenching.
Interesting concept, but the characters are flat and stereotyped. The author clearly tried to have nuanced representations, however, emotionally this book just didn't grab me. It was a drag. If I wasn't reading it for book club, I would likely have stopped pretty early on.