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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
This book has blown me away. It does not happen often that an author manages to capture the complex dynamics of the relationships within a family in such a realistic and honest way. Every character had flaws and layers and I ended up rooting for all of them.
This is the story of an Indian Muslim family living in the USA, starting off on the day of the wedding of Hadia. We immediately feel that there are tensions within the family and that these mostly concern Amar, the brother of Hadia, whom no one has seen for the last 3 years but decides to show up for the wedding. As the day continues, we learn more about each character and about the complicated situation through flashbacks.
A great read for anyone interested in love, family, new cultures, forgiveness and acceptance.
This is the story of an Indian Muslim family living in the USA, starting off on the day of the wedding of Hadia. We immediately feel that there are tensions within the family and that these mostly concern Amar, the brother of Hadia, whom no one has seen for the last 3 years but decides to show up for the wedding. As the day continues, we learn more about each character and about the complicated situation through flashbacks.
A great read for anyone interested in love, family, new cultures, forgiveness and acceptance.
Haven’t sobbed like this at a book in a long time lol—the writing style wasn’t my cup of tea tbh but the care and love that infuses the writing of each character, each relationship, the community, and faith was breathtaking.
I think I read somewhere that Mirza was 27 when this book was published, the age I am now. Bonkers. I hope I’m as thoughtful, empathetic, careful with and knowledgeable about the human heart as this when I’m 72, never mind now
I think I read somewhere that Mirza was 27 when this book was published, the age I am now. Bonkers. I hope I’m as thoughtful, empathetic, careful with and knowledgeable about the human heart as this when I’m 72, never mind now
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lyrical writing, brilliant building of nonlinear plot, poignant character development! No parent can finish this book without feeling a massive swell of emotion (or, you know, just full-on sobbing) simply from the sentiment of it all. If only this book had been whittled down to half it’s length... then it would have been pure genius. Too much of a good thing just becomes a long thing.
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
families are capable of great tragedy because what’s more tragic than the human heart.
I will read this again and think: wow.
I will read this again and think: wow.
Definitiv ein Highlight aus diesem Jahr. Bücher bringen mich nur ganz, ganz selten zum weinen, doch das war eines davon. Manche Stellen waren richtig lustig, bei anderen Stellen musste ich mehrmals leer schlucken. Spannend geschrieben mit den verschiedenen Blickwinkeln und Zeitsprüngen. Und im letzten Kapitel fügt sich alles zusammen. So so gut.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story was very moving and beautiful in parts and it definitely spoke to many of my own experiences of growing up in Australia, coming from an immigrant family and a close knit cultural/religious community but I am giving it 3 stars as I felt the book was much longer than it needed to be.