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samisal's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This is not really a complete review but I want to warn other people interested in this book that’s there’s a very upsetting and disturbing storyline involving a disabled child and eventually violence against that child that felt wholly unnecessary in this book. I enjoyed parts of the narrative but not enough to make up for the ending and don’t recommend it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Physical abuse, Ableism, Suicide, Child death, and Child abuse
nicoleisalwaysreading's review
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
2.5
So special to finally get my own copy of Celestial Bodies after much searching in bookstores and online. This is the first book translated from Arabic to win the Man Booker International Prize AND Jokha Alharthi is the first Omani woman to have a novel translated into English.
It took a few failed attempts to really get into this one, and the library repeatedly taking my e-book loan away did not help matters. Jokha Alharthi's writing is largely genealogical, examining the myriad of relationships between three interwoven families. When she gets philosophical, examining the family's place in the larger Omani society, the lingering effects of slavery, apathy, and expectations, or the bond between lovers or sisters, her writing soars with beautiful lyricism. Breathtaking, really.
It was just hard for me to follow the different lines, despite heavily relying on a family tree provided in the beginning. None of the characters felt sufficiently developed, despite multiple installments of their "perspective," with each chapter oscillating between the many characters. The book scans different timelines with little explanation, and there was no cumulative effect, meaning the stories did not seem to build into something easily deciphered. I wanted more, or maybe less? Less characters, more of a deep dive with development for each. I felt like I did not know much more about any of them than when I began, although I did connect with certain characters and their stories
It took a few failed attempts to really get into this one, and the library repeatedly taking my e-book loan away did not help matters. Jokha Alharthi's writing is largely genealogical, examining the myriad of relationships between three interwoven families. When she gets philosophical, examining the family's place in the larger Omani society, the lingering effects of slavery, apathy, and expectations, or the bond between lovers or sisters, her writing soars with beautiful lyricism. Breathtaking, really.
It was just hard for me to follow the different lines, despite heavily relying on a family tree provided in the beginning. None of the characters felt sufficiently developed, despite multiple installments of their "perspective," with each chapter oscillating between the many characters. The book scans different timelines with little explanation, and there was no cumulative effect, meaning the stories did not seem to build into something easily deciphered. I wanted more, or maybe less? Less characters, more of a deep dive with development for each. I felt like I did not know much more about any of them than when I began, although I did connect with certain characters and their stories
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, and Infidelity
Minor: Suicide
fannyreads's review
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Suicide, Slavery, and Physical abuse
hannah_sakura's review
challenging
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Slavery, Death of parent, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, Grief, Domestic abuse, and Animal death
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