Scan barcode
moontoor's review
5.0
Heavy and emotional. Definitely a book I would recommend for people who do not get triggered by it.
Thank you for this work!
Thank you for this work!
rosered879's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
brandie_shanae's review
5.0
This book was amazing and breathtaking. I am so happy that I read this book because having someone speak up and speak out about someone sexually assaulting you is awesome. This book deals with two
Main characters. Kiran who was sexual assaulted and then moved to Canada to get a better education and pretty much her mother shamed her and told her it was her fault that she was sexually assaulted and that she need to abort the baby in order to marry her betrothed. But Kiran did not listen and was doing her searching in order to become a Canadian citizen, which they told her it would take possibly around 15 to 18 years. So in the meantime she has her daughter Sahaara who is constantly upset with her mother because she wants to know who her father is but Kiran just tried to ignore it and move on. Though soon enough Kiran told her what had happened to her and Sahaara has no words to express to her mom. Though when Kiran spoke her truth everyone around the world was inspired for her speaking out and that it took a lot of courage to speak out and tell everyone what had happened and who did that to her. With just Kiran speaking her truth is amazing and I definitely recommended everyone to read this book. But warning there are trigger warning.
Main characters. Kiran who was sexual assaulted and then moved to Canada to get a better education and pretty much her mother shamed her and told her it was her fault that she was sexually assaulted and that she need to abort the baby in order to marry her betrothed. But Kiran did not listen and was doing her searching in order to become a Canadian citizen, which they told her it would take possibly around 15 to 18 years. So in the meantime she has her daughter Sahaara who is constantly upset with her mother because she wants to know who her father is but Kiran just tried to ignore it and move on. Though soon enough Kiran told her what had happened to her and Sahaara has no words to express to her mom. Though when Kiran spoke her truth everyone around the world was inspired for her speaking out and that it took a lot of courage to speak out and tell everyone what had happened and who did that to her. With just Kiran speaking her truth is amazing and I definitely recommended everyone to read this book. But warning there are trigger warning.
rebeccazh's review
4.0
This book is a mix of prose and poetry, with illustrations. It tells the story of Kiran, who is a sexual assault survivor and also an undocumented immigrant in Canada, and her daughter, Sahaara. This book was hard to read because Kiran's fear, grief and trauma is really tough to read about. I liked that the format was a mix of prose and poetry and I liked the poems and illustrations a lot. I also liked seeing how Kiran's experiences shaped her relationship with Sahaara -- the intergenerational trauma is no joke. Overall, really enjoyed reading this.
msvenner's review
5.0
This is a beautiful, important book. It is written in a combination of poetry and prose and shorts perspective but it does so organically and with ease. The reader is instant wrapped into the lives of these women. The book tackles issues that are too often ignored, the plight of abused women in India and of the too often silenced immigrant population in Canada. I read much about undocumented immigrants in the US but this is the first time I’ve seen it from a Canadian perspective.
naomi_nem's review
3.0
Wow. I finally finished a book. I don't think this book put me in a reading slump, but it didn't get me out of it either. Anyway, to the review.
I most definitely enjoyed this book in terms of the story it tells, as well as the way it's told. I absolutely adore the fact that it was half-novel and half-poetry/illustrated and the way that contributed to the story being told. The way that Kaur shifts between Kiran and Sahaara was nice, and I liked that Sahaara's story continued into present day. HOWEVER, I found the poetry, although it was good, stuck in the same "voice" even when it was being "written" by different people. Kiran and Sahaara don't really have their own distinct way of writing which I would have really liked to see, but otherwise, great book!
I most definitely enjoyed this book in terms of the story it tells, as well as the way it's told. I absolutely adore the fact that it was half-novel and half-poetry/illustrated and the way that contributed to the story being told. The way that Kaur shifts between Kiran and Sahaara was nice, and I liked that Sahaara's story continued into present day. HOWEVER, I found the poetry, although it was good, stuck in the same "voice" even when it was being "written" by different people. Kiran and Sahaara don't really have their own distinct way of writing which I would have really liked to see, but otherwise, great book!
helterskelliter's review
4.0
“‘This world makes us feel like our stories begin and end with men—the ones who want us or don’t want us or hurt us or love us. But if I’ve learned anything, it’s that happiness doesn’t need to hinge on the boy you end up with…. You can choose yourself too.” (424)
(TW: sexual assault mention)
In this book, trauma, courage, and healing are explored in excruciating and heart-wrenching detail. This is a story about sexual assault, victim-blaming, marginalization, and perseverance in the cruel face of overwhelming odds. This is a story about finding your voice, about taking back your voice from powerful men who would prefer you stay silent. Further, this is a story about the intersection between sexual assault and immigration and how being part of one marginalized group can affect the prospects and outlook of your life moving forward.
I really appreciate how this story doesn’t depict trauma or healing as a linear process. Neither has any clear path. There’s no one way to feel hurt or to feel healed. More, healing doesn’t necessarily mean forgetting or forgiving. You can still demand accountability and affirmation in whatever way you need at any point. There are no “good victims” or “bad victims”; we are all just trying to survive.
Definitely recommend this book! It’s a good kind of hurt. The kind of hurt that feels hopeful.
(TW: sexual assault mention)
In this book, trauma, courage, and healing are explored in excruciating and heart-wrenching detail. This is a story about sexual assault, victim-blaming, marginalization, and perseverance in the cruel face of overwhelming odds. This is a story about finding your voice, about taking back your voice from powerful men who would prefer you stay silent. Further, this is a story about the intersection between sexual assault and immigration and how being part of one marginalized group can affect the prospects and outlook of your life moving forward.
I really appreciate how this story doesn’t depict trauma or healing as a linear process. Neither has any clear path. There’s no one way to feel hurt or to feel healed. More, healing doesn’t necessarily mean forgetting or forgiving. You can still demand accountability and affirmation in whatever way you need at any point. There are no “good victims” or “bad victims”; we are all just trying to survive.
Definitely recommend this book! It’s a good kind of hurt. The kind of hurt that feels hopeful.
cbeghuin's review
5.0
I think everyone needs to read this book. I can’t find enough words to explain everything this book covers.