Reviews

Best of Friends by Kamila Shamsie

kitcatlyn's review against another edition

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

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

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

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

slow-paced

3.0

teddy_o's review against another edition

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

mollybs's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

2.5

blumoongirl's review

4.0

3.5 stars.

It was interesting but I didn’t like any of the characters…. and ultimately didn’t care about their friendships.

emharries's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad tense 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

4.25

recycledwords's review

3.0

The book started off well, we are introduced to the teenage friends Zahra and Maryam in Karachi and their respective family backgrounds. The girls experience the dangers of being female in a patriarchal society, though they attend an elite private school and must therefore be assumed to be from privileged socioeconomic backgrounds

Fast forward to the now adult women living in London, both highly successful but seemingly on opposite ends of the political spectrum. Here unfortunately the story fell a bit flat, the plot felt contrived and it seems like Zahra and Maryam are shielded from the consequences of their actions due to their privileged status.

An easy read which started out well but unfortunately underwhelmed. The writing was easy to follow with good dialogue and an appropriate amount of description. I would recommend as a beach read but would hesitate to pick up another book by this author again.