Reviews

A Bookshop in Algiers by Kaouther Adimi

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gracegimon's review

5.0

Besides what is expected of a story about a bookshop, it shows an overview of the relationship between Algeria and France over the years. Very interesting to discover the life of Edmond Charlot. Recommended

kerensa2108's review

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5.0

This took me a while as I kept getting sidetracked by Christmas, New Year, family visits, etc.! So I restarted it several times before reading it ‘in a one-er’ over a few days. You have to read it like that - it’s not a book you can put down and pick up where you left off a week later. It’s a fascinating, really interesting history of the troubles in Algeria and the literature of the time, written as a novel. The characters are beautifully portrayed and the descriptions are brilliant. I’ve bought the novel in the original French too and hope to read that when I get the chance.

heychomy's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

curiouslykaylee's review against another edition

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3.0

I loved the chapters about Edmond Charlot and his life. I preferred these chapters to the modern day chapters following Ryad. I also enjoyed learning more about Algeria's history. Good book overall.

patriciareedreads's review against another edition

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4.0

So much history I didn’t know. This book put me in it

acidicpie's review

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4.0

This was the first book i read that discussed the history of Algeria during the french occupation. As an algerian, I was very moved by this book and i felt the need to appreciate every mention of the martyrs who helped Algeria become the free nation that it is today (not entirely free however as it is still under corrupt authority). Ironically, i felt homesick to occupational Algeria and felt like i was betraying my land by being born into the wrong generation. The writing style was so great that it fueled my imagination to the highest degree and i could see and feel what i would imagine the characters did too.

I gave this book a 4/5 simply because the excerpts were sometimes boring to read. I have to admit they did provide necessary elements to help the reader understand the nature of the man who founded the bookshop and also the nature of his relationship with the people he was involved with. I understand that my rating can be very biased considering the fact that i just admitted to being deeply affected by the history that was told, however, I can only hope that it may also have that similar effect on you (to some extent).