Reviews

Best of Friends by Kamila Shamsie

sophiavass's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective medium-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

4.0

msilkwolfe's review

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4.0

This was a 5 star read for me until the end (and when I say “the end” I literally mean the very last couple of scenes). I liked the two distinct timelines (first half is when the two women were kids in Pakistan, and second half is when they’re adults in London). Super detailed, intimate look at female friendship throughout the course of two lives. I found the childhood perspective way too self aware than how I know adolescents to actually be, but I also realize that introspection was most likely for the reader—an adult—to get an emotional reaction to the events that happen, rather than trying to get a teen’s interiority exactly right. Overall, I really liked this! UNTIL THE END!

seismatic's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring medium-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

4.0

amina_miah's review against another edition

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reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

kitcatlyn's review against another edition

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reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

c_m_t's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad 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

3.5

reneerianne's review against another edition

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

4.25

More books on childhood friends growing up please! I loved the way this book mixes genres, from historical fiction to a modern workplace novel. Zahra and Maryam were very realistic, flawed characters and I loved their banter and interactions. I also loved the way that their friendship as teenagers trickles into their adult friendship. I did find it hard to tell their stories and narrative voices apart at times because they blended in my mind. The ending was quite something but the longer I think about it the more I like it. This was also an easy read if you want to learn about Pakistan but want to ease into it gently. 

brwnbkwrm's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

izzygibb_'s review against another edition

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slow-paced

3.0

teddy_o's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective slow-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

3.75