Scan barcode
carmentxx's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
2.5
i would bet money that this book will end up on the gcse english syllabus in about 10 years time as a modern classic. and that’s not necessarily a diss, but an honest commentary on how this book is just so weirdly bland. nazneen’s character arc builds slowly as her life builds slowly but rather than feeling satisfying the pay off isn’t as strong as i’d like it to be. the end relationship with her husband is ambiguous, even though the whole idea is that she learns to choose herself. i wish there was more time spent with the children and less time with karim. i just feel quite disappointed because there are bones here for a good story but it just wasn’t very well executed. like, what the hell even happened with her sister? and the random riot that appeared? and karim who disappeared? so many loose ends and no answers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, and Medical content
sophiemundy13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Not my normal sort of book, but an interesting insight into British-Bengali culture
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Racism, Child death, and Violence
Minor: Suicide
sashagalkina's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Well, this was a very slow read for me. Not a lot happens, yet everything happens. The writing is intricate, descriptive and human observation is superb. I found that the book, much like real world, overflowed with issues, social, political, sexual... That's probably was why it took me so long to get through. It deals with everything. Pick an issue, this book at least mentions it. Cultural differences? Yep. Immigration? Yep. Parenting problems? Yep. Politics? Yep. Religion? Yep. Loss? Yep. It's got it all and more. Overall, it's good. The characters are vivid, writing's great, but if books were like people my relationship with it wouldn't go further than acquaintances.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Islamophobia, Child death, Domestic abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, and Grief
Minor: Drug abuse, Suicide, and Trafficking
booksmellers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Islamophobia, Medical content, Misogyny, Racism, Religious bigotry, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
More...