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annindo_underthesun's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
vtrumpredd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
hannahleewhite's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
yvonne_s's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written.
This is my favourite of Leila Aboulela's novels. Like its title, her prose is always lyrical, and Lyrics Alley has an added confidence in its writing.
The novel is set in the 1950s as Sudan approaches independence from the UK. I knew little about Sudan's history, and this is deftly woven into the novel, without dominating it. Lyrics Alley is based on the true story of Aboulela's uncle, who turned to poetry after an accident.
In Lyrics Alley, Mahmoud Abuzeid is a prosperous businessman who is head of an extended family that includes his two wives, his two sons, his brother and his brother's daughters. Mahmoud's two wives are in stark contrast: the first wife is Sudanese, menopausal and traditional; the second wife is young, Egyptian and modern. Mahmoud's two sons by his first wife are also in contrast. Nassir, the elder, in spite of being married, is irresponsible in work and play. Nur, the younger, is a brilliant scholar expected to go to Cambridge University in Britain. He is also betrothed to Soraya, his cousin, and their affection for each other is sensitively portrayed, as are the repercussions on their relationship of Nur's terrible accident.
Lyrics Alley is a multi-viewpoint novel and Aboulela shows us the lives of the characters through their eyes, allowing us to see their thoughts and feelings. Instead of judging the conditions in which the characters find themselves, Aboulela allows the characters to speak for themselves. For instance, we feel the young Soraya's indignation when her father doesn't allow her to have the spectacles she so desperately needs for school, and this incident reveals the plight of women at the time when men were looking forward to liberation! In the same way, Aboulela also weaves the issue of female circumcision into the narrative in a way that leaves no doubt about its impact. At the same time as she sensitively shows the feelings of the traditional wife, Waheeba, who is afraid of what she sees as the terrible consequences that would befall her daughter were she to remain uncircumcised.
One final character I would like to mention is Badr, who tutors Nur after his accident. His position is so lowly that Mahmoud does not remember his name. Badr is a complex character, a devout Muslim who struggles with guilt at not being able to maintain his ideals. One passage that stands out in my mind is when the teacher visits the mosque and feels a strong sense of spiritual connection but then wonders if it was all his imagination; afterwards he goes home feeling sure he's going to cope better now his ailing father and hapless cousin. Instead he flies into a rage and then feels frustrated at himself.
Lyrics Alley is a great blend of history and story, and throughout it all Aboulela writes with a sense of kindness, of understanding.
This is my favourite of Leila Aboulela's novels. Like its title, her prose is always lyrical, and Lyrics Alley has an added confidence in its writing.
The novel is set in the 1950s as Sudan approaches independence from the UK. I knew little about Sudan's history, and this is deftly woven into the novel, without dominating it. Lyrics Alley is based on the true story of Aboulela's uncle, who turned to poetry after an accident.
In Lyrics Alley, Mahmoud Abuzeid is a prosperous businessman who is head of an extended family that includes his two wives, his two sons, his brother and his brother's daughters. Mahmoud's two wives are in stark contrast: the first wife is Sudanese, menopausal and traditional; the second wife is young, Egyptian and modern. Mahmoud's two sons by his first wife are also in contrast. Nassir, the elder, in spite of being married, is irresponsible in work and play. Nur, the younger, is a brilliant scholar expected to go to Cambridge University in Britain. He is also betrothed to Soraya, his cousin, and their affection for each other is sensitively portrayed, as are the repercussions on their relationship of Nur's terrible accident.
Lyrics Alley is a multi-viewpoint novel and Aboulela shows us the lives of the characters through their eyes, allowing us to see their thoughts and feelings. Instead of judging the conditions in which the characters find themselves, Aboulela allows the characters to speak for themselves. For instance, we feel the young Soraya's indignation when her father doesn't allow her to have the spectacles she so desperately needs for school, and this incident reveals the plight of women at the time when men were looking forward to liberation! In the same way, Aboulela also weaves the issue of female circumcision into the narrative in a way that leaves no doubt about its impact. At the same time as she sensitively shows the feelings of the traditional wife, Waheeba, who is afraid of what she sees as the terrible consequences that would befall her daughter were she to remain uncircumcised.
One final character I would like to mention is Badr, who tutors Nur after his accident. His position is so lowly that Mahmoud does not remember his name. Badr is a complex character, a devout Muslim who struggles with guilt at not being able to maintain his ideals. One passage that stands out in my mind is when the teacher visits the mosque and feels a strong sense of spiritual connection but then wonders if it was all his imagination; afterwards he goes home feeling sure he's going to cope better now his ailing father and hapless cousin. Instead he flies into a rage and then feels frustrated at himself.
Lyrics Alley is a great blend of history and story, and throughout it all Aboulela writes with a sense of kindness, of understanding.
inkedmusingshi's review against another edition
5.0
A lyrical and sublime tale of a family set in early 1950s in the days preceding Sudan's independence from Anglo-Egyptian rule. Aboulela's expertise in bringing forth people's hopes and fears, their journey through happy and tragic times is superb.
leavingsealevel's review against another edition
3.0
I did like this book, but I liked all the other Leila Aboulela books I've read better. I think it took me a while to see this as story about Nur rather than a story primarily about Waheeba and Nabilah, and by the time I made that shift it was too late for me to totally engage.
aframa's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
First Book in 2023💫💫💫
📚📚LYRICS ALLEY BY LEILA ABOULELA📚📚
''Soraya would walkdown the alley and hear snatches of Nur's lyrics coming from the houses. She would sit up in bed and sing along with the radio, and every time she heard it, the pain decreased and the enjoyment increased.
.........These songs would be their story and these lyrics their home.''
This is a book set up in the 1950s in Sudan about one of the wealthiest and influential men in the country.
The book takes us through the conflict that exist between tradition
and modernity. This conflict is visible through his first wife who seem to embody the traditional life of Sudan and the second wife who
was a model of modern Egyptian woman.
The heir to the Abuzeid empire, Nur is involved in a fatal accident and is bedridden. This also gave
way for his old. The dream of becoming a poet!. His father’s wish is put on hold as destiny turned situations around.
The story takes us through the issues Muslim women face in Sudan such as
polygamy and female circumcision.
Leila’s book is such a tear-jerking and an insightful read that will take you across the different boundaries in life.
Leila takes us through a story of love,politics, modernity and tradition, tragedy of life and Fate and would have you hooked until the last page is turned.
Such a page Turner which is highly recommended.
📚📚LYRICS ALLEY BY LEILA ABOULELA📚📚
''Soraya would walkdown the alley and hear snatches of Nur's lyrics coming from the houses. She would sit up in bed and sing along with the radio, and every time she heard it, the pain decreased and the enjoyment increased.
.........These songs would be their story and these lyrics their home.''
This is a book set up in the 1950s in Sudan about one of the wealthiest and influential men in the country.
The book takes us through the conflict that exist between tradition
and modernity. This conflict is visible through his first wife who seem to embody the traditional life of Sudan and the second wife who
was a model of modern Egyptian woman.
The heir to the Abuzeid empire, Nur is involved in a fatal accident and is bedridden. This also gave
way for his old. The dream of becoming a poet!. His father’s wish is put on hold as destiny turned situations around.
The story takes us through the issues Muslim women face in Sudan such as
polygamy and female circumcision.
Leila’s book is such a tear-jerking and an insightful read that will take you across the different boundaries in life.
Leila takes us through a story of love,politics, modernity and tradition, tragedy of life and Fate and would have you hooked until the last page is turned.
Such a page Turner which is highly recommended.
hannicogood's review against another edition
4.0
I think this book tried to be a bit too ambitious with how many characters it was following. I don’t think every story line was resolved satisfactorily, however I was really satisfied with how the ending pulled together in the last ten or so pages. One of the things that really bumped this book up for me is finding out that Nur’s character was actually based on the author’s uncle who she unfortunately never got to meet. Finding this out really changed my perspective as well—I don’t mind as much that the politics weren’t discussed as deeply as they could have been because that wasn’t the point of the novel.