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lsparrow's review against another edition
4.0
somehow this author manages to make difficult and complex topic where often only the purptrators get in the news and the people affected are at best treated as helpless victims, and make it a story that is interesting and does not make the individuals out to be merely the sum of their oppressions.
stacieh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
unladylike's review against another edition
3.0
5 stars for the cultural exposure
4 stars for the linguistic insight reminiscent of [b:A Clockwork Orange|41817486|A Clockwork Orange|Anthony Burgess|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549260060l/41817486._SX50_.jpg|23596], but grounded in reality (though the glossary included in the U.S. edition doesn't cover some of the main words found throughout the book, such as "hi-fi," and for some reason I haven't been able to find any explanations of the term through Google searches)
2 stars for the actual story, which I really didn't care for. I picked up the book because I guessed from the title that it would be a supernatural magic realism type of novel. I won't apologize for spoiling the plot by warning you that it does not actually contain any djinns, sadly, and the alternative is much worse.
3 stars for the prose itself
4 stars for the linguistic insight reminiscent of [b:A Clockwork Orange|41817486|A Clockwork Orange|Anthony Burgess|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1549260060l/41817486._SX50_.jpg|23596], but grounded in reality (though the glossary included in the U.S. edition doesn't cover some of the main words found throughout the book, such as "hi-fi," and for some reason I haven't been able to find any explanations of the term through Google searches)
2 stars for the actual story, which I really didn't care for. I picked up the book because I guessed from the title that it would be a supernatural magic realism type of novel. I won't apologize for spoiling the plot by warning you that it does not actually contain any djinns, sadly, and the alternative is much worse.
3 stars for the prose itself
emenendez1's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sophiepooper's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
chyneyee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My favourite part:
Ma picks up the scrunchie. 'Put it back,' I tell her. 'It's evidence.' 'This is not your stupid show,' Ma screams at me. 'What's wrong with you? I cannot bear to listen to you for a second more.'
Moderate: Alcoholism, Racism, Islamophobia, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Police brutality
Minor: Trafficking