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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
This book contains a trope or is in a sub-genre (or whatever the term is) that I've learned just isn't my cup of tea. Saying that, I've given it 3 stars because the author does two things very well - 1) writes well defined characters that a reader can relate to and 2) lets a scene breathe and doesn't rush the reader along.
With regards to the characters, the no-one-is-good and no-one-is-bad is what I feel other authors tried to emulate and fell short. I'm thinking of books where none of the characters are likeable or redeemable and no one ends up happy but you just don't care. Here, at least I cared. The author did a good job at investing in the characters.
I was disappointed in the ending and that's on me - not the author. I just don't need to know that sometimes life just sucks and that everyone has made poor choices or has regrets.
I think this is part of why it took me so long to finish. The writing is good! The story engaging! The characters have depth! I think I saw the path it was on and knew I wasn't going to find the end satisfying.
With regards to the characters, the no-one-is-good and no-one-is-bad is what I feel other authors tried to emulate and fell short. I'm thinking of books where none of the characters are likeable or redeemable and no one ends up happy but you just don't care. Here, at least I cared. The author did a good job at investing in the characters.
I was disappointed in the ending and that's on me - not the author. I just don't need to know that sometimes life just sucks and that everyone has made poor choices or has regrets.
I think this is part of why it took me so long to finish. The writing is good! The story engaging! The characters have depth! I think I saw the path it was on and knew I wasn't going to find the end satisfying.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I remember reading this book and trying to think how this made it to press. The writing was terrible. The plot was poorly done. I remember also trying to figure out if this guy knew anyone who was a non native speaker of English.
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While I found it hard to like all three of the main characters in this book, I appreciated how Dubus forced me to better understand each point of view by allowing all three to tell the story. The ending is tragic and you'll feel disheartened about many things, including immigrant life in the U.S., but the book will also make you think more carefully about the life stories of strangers and pasts unknown.
I am perhaps one of the last readers to have read this book. It's been sitting patiently on my shelves since at least 2007.
I'm glad to have finally read it and I found it broadly entertaining, but not likely to be particularly memorable. The story sets up a culture clash story between a displaced Iranian family who fled with the fall of the Shah and a woman whose life has somewhat fallen apart, but at least someone left her a house.
The characters are well-drawn and compelling, particularly Colonel Behrani. But in the end, I found the plot so ridiculous that I couldn't quite connect with the story as a whole.
I'm glad to have finally read it and I found it broadly entertaining, but not likely to be particularly memorable. The story sets up a culture clash story between a displaced Iranian family who fled with the fall of the Shah and a woman whose life has somewhat fallen apart, but at least someone left her a house.
The characters are well-drawn and compelling, particularly Colonel Behrani. But in the end, I found the plot so ridiculous that I couldn't quite connect with the story as a whole.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
so that was traumatizing. but also incredibly suspenseful, with interesting parallels between the narrators who are on the surface level so different, and lots of imagery of fog (in the air and in the mind). deeply flawed characters, lots of violence, and a tragic story. but worth the read!
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Suicide
Such a beautifully written story
Even better than the movie. I thought this was a very well written book, great characters and character development. So glad I read it.
Even better than the movie. I thought this was a very well written book, great characters and character development. So glad I read it.