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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this! This is one of those books where, about 50% of my way through, I wasn't too sure I felt strongly about it, but it got so much better as it went along and the ending landed REALLY well. I think the author explores the issue of race in an interracial relationship with a surprising amount of nuance — surprising because I didn't really expect the direction the book would be taking in the latter half of the story and I like a lot of the choices the author made to resolve the conflicts that had been building up throughout.
I also loved how realistic the characters seemed. They weren't caricatures or standard-romance-tropes; they felt like actual people with believable goals and anxieties. Since Nur is the protagonist/his POV guides the narrative, we spend more time in his head's than Yasmina's, but the author manages to create a lot of sympathy and understanding for Yasmina anyway. I was afraid her side of the relationship would get overshadowed by Nur's troubles and Nur's concerns but the author deals with her in a way that's incredibly satisfying, if a little sad. My heart hurt for her. I also liked both their sibling relationships; it really added to the realism, which is one of this story's strong points.
Sometimes, the structure/timeline of the story would confuse me but I think that's just me, and the disorientation was temporary. It got lesser as I got a few chapters in, and I ended up liking it in the end. It works in some places, even if it confused me a little in others. I think the author really strikes a balance between creating a flawed protagonist who is sympathetic but still wrong. It's a masterful display of inner emotion that I've grown to appreciate the more I think about this book. I like that the author kind of teases a red herring happy ending but takes it in a direction that feels more satisfying. A part of me would have been happy to see the two families unite but Yasmina deserved better and this is a much more thoughtful ending. I was afraid all the issues would get swept under the rug in favor of a "love conquers all" situation and I'm delighted this book didn't do that, even if the love WAS there. Simple language, but complex ideas that are fleshed out with sincerity. I liked it!
I also loved how realistic the characters seemed. They weren't caricatures or standard-romance-tropes; they felt like actual people with believable goals and anxieties. Since Nur is the protagonist/his POV guides the narrative, we spend more time in his head's than Yasmina's, but the author manages to create a lot of sympathy and understanding for Yasmina anyway.
Sometimes, the structure/timeline of the story would confuse me but I think that's just me, and the disorientation was temporary. It got lesser as I got a few chapters in, and I ended up liking it in the end. It works in some places, even if it confused me a little in others. I think the author really strikes a balance between creating a flawed protagonist who is sympathetic but still wrong. It's a masterful display of inner emotion that I've grown to appreciate the more I think about this book.
Solid debut novel from author about the taboos in Pakistani culture such as dating, racism, and going against your parents to build your life. Written in a very digestible way but knocked off two stars because of lack of depth. You do, however, become fond of the female lead in the story.
I definitely enjoyed this book. I loved the back and forth and jumping around from past to present. The realism of the complexities of religion and race and relationships really brought this book to life. It was heartbreaking and I really felt for the characters. I love that Nur is held accountable and I think it ends in the most perfect was. The only way that feels right, no matter how sad. I loved the role mental illness played as both prominent in Nur’s anxiety and depression and in Yasmina’s sister as a side plot. It was interesting to see Nur’s arguments and justifications for his behaviour throughout, truly believing that he didn’t do anything wrong. I really enjoyed the book overall and I think it has a very important place in modern literature.
Strong character development:
No
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kasim Ali's Good Intentions is a story about a 4-year relationship, and relationships as a whole: romantic, platonic, familial. The conversations–of love, of race, of cultural duty and tradition–in this book are so important. My copy is filled with annotations and tearstains as a result.
Nur is a character whose thoughts get to him, and who dwells on the possibility, the act, and the consequences of saying the wrong things.
His girlfriend, Yasmina, has only ever wanted for Nur to love her wholly as she is. The only caveat to this is that Yasmina is black, and subsequently, Nur has yet to reveal her to his Pakistani family in fear of what they will think.
While a good book, boy does it feel slow. Reading this book singlehandedly put me into a reading slump so hard that I had to read other books in conjunction to fight out of it. I feel this book would benefit from being chronological instead of time-hopping, so we can feel slowly as the book goes along Nur's back-and-forth actions and Yasmina's growing resentment. That's only my opinion as a reader though.
This was originally supposed to be a 3.5 star review, but after the 65% mark of the book, it gripped me. It is an understatement that I was brought to tears. I believe I am just destined to only read about romance that is doomed by the narrative. What an incredible debut novel.
Nur is a character whose thoughts get to him, and who dwells on the possibility, the act, and the consequences of saying the wrong things.
His girlfriend, Yasmina, has only ever wanted for Nur to love her wholly as she is. The only caveat to this is that Yasmina is black, and subsequently, Nur has yet to reveal her to his Pakistani family in fear of what they will think.
While a good book, boy does it feel slow. Reading this book singlehandedly put me into a reading slump so hard that I had to read other books in conjunction to fight out of it. I feel this book would benefit from being chronological instead of time-hopping, so we can feel slowly as the book goes along Nur's back-and-forth actions and Yasmina's growing resentment. That's only my opinion as a reader though.
This was originally supposed to be a 3.5 star review, but after the 65% mark of the book, it gripped me. It is an understatement that I was brought to tears. I believe I am just destined to only read about romance that is doomed by the narrative. What an incredible debut novel.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Self harm, Suicide attempt
A compelling, poignant & thought provoking story that had me gripped and desperate for more. Magical for a debut.
reflective
slow-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
Very slow paced and at times boring. Ending was disappointing yet satisfying at the same time. Book delivers good messages. Main character can be insufferable at times.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i enjoyed this but it wasn’t the best thing I’ve ever read. I liked rahat and imran a lot, I think they were great friends to have. i don’t know how to feel about the ending. the last 30 pages took a turn that I don’t think was reflected in the rest of the book? but I also get it? idk if nur is meant to be an unreliable narrator? asks many questions about racial hierarchy and racial bias which was super interesting and captivating.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes