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rakoerose's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting read, with intriguing choices in the execution of themes and plot.
If I feel young it is because I have done so little. What happened stunted me.
I can definitely see the merits of Najwa’s experiences, how her naivety undercuts the harsh truths she had to be exposed to as a young woman. How her faith morphs and changes as she ages, as her concept of reality changes. And yet we see how she remains incredibly superficial even as an older adult, constantly obsessed with her outward appearance and what others think of her, instead of how she wants to view herself. A complex image of a woman who is, altogether, both likeable and unlikable in stride.
Yet, I also found myself questioning certain choices. Tamer, Najwa’s “love interest” for a portion of this novel, is over a decade younger than her, a college student and, in my opinion, not someone she should view as a romantic interest. The gap is too wide. And her other love interest, Anwar, is so self-absorbed and doesn’t care at all for her feelings. Bulldozing her every choice and desire. I’m saddened that Najwa never got anything better, but perhaps this narrative is meant to show the extremes? How her oscillation between identities has led to men of opposites? I don’t know.
I do like how much emphasis there was on the appreciation of your fellow women within the Muslim culture as Najwa attended events at the Mosque. I appreciate when women are not always pitted against each other but celebrate one another, help one another, protect one another.
All this being said, please take my opinions with a grain of salt! I am not part of any community mentioned within these pages, and as a white individual I could be missing a lot. I’ll be reading some other reviews here too to see what I may be ignorant to.
In the end, as I said, very interesting! I would love to read more novels incorporating Sudanese history or Muslim influences in the future, to broaden my understanding even more.
If I feel young it is because I have done so little. What happened stunted me.
I can definitely see the merits of Najwa’s experiences, how her naivety undercuts the harsh truths she had to be exposed to as a young woman. How her faith morphs and changes as she ages, as her concept of reality changes. And yet we see how she remains incredibly superficial even as an older adult, constantly obsessed with her outward appearance and what others think of her, instead of how she wants to view herself. A complex image of a woman who is, altogether, both likeable and unlikable in stride.
Yet, I also found myself questioning certain choices. Tamer, Najwa’s “love interest” for a portion of this novel, is over a decade younger than her, a college student and, in my opinion, not someone she should view as a romantic interest. The gap is too wide. And her other love interest, Anwar, is so self-absorbed and doesn’t care at all for her feelings. Bulldozing her every choice and desire. I’m saddened that Najwa never got anything better, but perhaps this narrative is meant to show the extremes? How her oscillation between identities has led to men of opposites? I don’t know.
I do like how much emphasis there was on the appreciation of your fellow women within the Muslim culture as Najwa attended events at the Mosque. I appreciate when women are not always pitted against each other but celebrate one another, help one another, protect one another.
All this being said, please take my opinions with a grain of salt! I am not part of any community mentioned within these pages, and as a white individual I could be missing a lot. I’ll be reading some other reviews here too to see what I may be ignorant to.
In the end, as I said, very interesting! I would love to read more novels incorporating Sudanese history or Muslim influences in the future, to broaden my understanding even more.
annindo_underthesun's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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
2.5
rasoa_simiyu's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bluestarfish's review against another edition
3.0
Minaret slips between Najwa's life as a teenager in Khartoum before the revolution and her exile in London and the gentle falling down in her life circumstances. London is a city of many faces and experiences and it was interesting seeing it through the eyes of somebody different again. But the main interest for me was Najwa's spiritual journey to Islam and I thought that beautifully written. Nominally Muslim as a child, fasting during Ramadan and going with her mother to give alms, she discovers her faith later on as she finds her way through life. I was slightly worried about a mawkinsh ending at one point so I'm glad that didn't happen.
zoekyriacou's review against another edition
3.0
I read this on a long stint at the police station - it was okay.
suzemo's review against another edition
2.0
I will go ahead and just throw it out there that I don't like religion. I don't like any kind of system that is used to oppress and control people, which is what I think of (in general) when I/we/people talk of religion.
So we have this privileged girl, who is being raised in a very patriarchal system (governed by a patriarchal religion), who loses her privilege, position, and a lot of her support system (and her "way"), and then finds her "way" by immersing herself in that religion. She is raised not to think her way out of a wet paper sack, and she is left alone... and finds a way to continue not thinking...
Meh. I dislike reading books where I feel frustrated because characters choose helplessness or don't choose to empower themselves.
As for the writing - meh. It felt a little canned. The characters seemed to be predictable, one dimensional. I do like that the story was current with occasional flashbacks only because it made it feel a little less bogged down. If I read the characters life straight through, I probably would have stalled out half way through the book.
So we have this privileged girl, who is being raised in a very patriarchal system (governed by a patriarchal religion), who loses her privilege, position, and a lot of her support system (and her "way"), and then finds her "way" by immersing herself in that religion. She is raised not to think her way out of a wet paper sack, and she is left alone... and finds a way to continue not thinking...
Meh. I dislike reading books where I feel frustrated because characters choose helplessness or don't choose to empower themselves.
As for the writing - meh. It felt a little canned. The characters seemed to be predictable, one dimensional. I do like that the story was current with occasional flashbacks only because it made it feel a little less bogged down. If I read the characters life straight through, I probably would have stalled out half way through the book.
rustedpages's review against another edition
5.0
Minaret follows the story of Najwa, who is forced to flee her home in Sudan, to London, when civil war breaks out. Contrary to what I expected, I really enjoyed this book. The simplicity of it is a breath of fresh air. The writing is incredibly stripped back and straightforward but I think that is its charm. The different ways the characters navigate their faith is realistic and relatable. It reminds me of how uniquely everyone struggles. I even enjoyed the romance (something I rarely enjoy). I think I might have to look into Leila Aboulela’s other works.
bowelhaus's review against another edition
2.0
Not a very interesting character and the writing style isn't very captivating either. Wasn't sure exactly what the author was trying to say about the division between devout and secular Muslims because it seemed almost too black and white: this wrong and this is right. Was super excited to read this as the story sounded amazing and I have been wanting to read more books from Muslim authors but I had to stop this book about three-quarters in.
femalemanipulator's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75