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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
*4.5!
Where do I even begin with this book? It was a slow burn kind of family drama novel that just keeps you rooting for most of the characters. I am in awe of this, and how heartfelt this novel was when reading. You really feel what it’s like to be a refugee in a strange country that already has its own preconceived notions and suspicions about you.
I will say though, this writing style isn’t for everyone. The jump between timelines/different sections wasn’t always clear, and it did take some reconfiguring to realize what just happened. It’s not my personal favourite, but the book and the characters speak for themselves!
If you’re looking for a different view, a different story, then I highly recommend this one!
Where do I even begin with this book? It was a slow burn kind of family drama novel that just keeps you rooting for most of the characters. I am in awe of this, and how heartfelt this novel was when reading. You really feel what it’s like to be a refugee in a strange country that already has its own preconceived notions and suspicions about you.
I will say though, this writing style isn’t for everyone. The jump between timelines/different sections wasn’t always clear, and it did take some reconfiguring to realize what just happened. It’s not my personal favourite, but the book and the characters speak for themselves!
If you’re looking for a different view, a different story, then I highly recommend this one!
I liked this book. I am interested in gaining some insight into the experience of an immigrant or refugee grappling with a new and foreign culture. In particular, I have wondered about the Muslim experience as there has been a diaspora throughout Europe caused by the chaos in the Levant. N. Farah has the credentials to address this topic authentically as he was raised in Somalia and now lives abroad.
I was struck by how closely the story corresponds to what I imagine life would be like for an educated Muslim refugee from Somalia. The book is refreshingly not polemical but rather a real glimpse of a family's life as it struggles to fit into a welcoming yet alien culture. Norway certainly comes off very well in the book. However, the issues faced by the family can't be erased or overcome by any amount of goodwill. A thoughtful read and I recommend it.
I was struck by how closely the story corresponds to what I imagine life would be like for an educated Muslim refugee from Somalia. The book is refreshingly not polemical but rather a real glimpse of a family's life as it struggles to fit into a welcoming yet alien culture. Norway certainly comes off very well in the book. However, the issues faced by the family can't be erased or overcome by any amount of goodwill. A thoughtful read and I recommend it.
This book beautifully shows the complexities of Muslim identity in a post 9/11 world.
The premise of this sounded so promising. A Somali couple have lived in Norway for decades, assimilating and raising their children. However their son is radicalised, travels to Somalia and kills himself in a suicide bomb attack. Somewhat reluctantly they bring his wife and her children to Norway. Her children hunger for the freedom Norway offers, while she becomes more religious. Obviously plenty of meaty issues - immigration, family, religion and more - as well as the chance to learn about two different societies. All things which I enjoy.
And yet this novel fell flat for me. Much of it is relayed in conversations between different characters. Their voices never felt unique, genuine or distinctive. A teenager newly arrived from Somalia is unlikely to speak exactly like his grandmother who has lived there for years and yet I struggled to tell them apart. The novel read very much like academic discourse which had been turned into fictional conversation. This made it hard for me to get caught up in the story and invested in the characters. I was initially listening on audio and the narrator was not capturing my attention so I switched to an ebook but that helped only a little.
I feel more distinct and genuine voices for different characters, less of an abstract academic tone for many of them, perhaps a sprinkling of Somali and/or Norwegian words and phrases would have made all the difference. The author has won the Neustadt International Prize for Literature so is obviously highly regarded. Sadly this book just didn’t work for me.
And yet this novel fell flat for me. Much of it is relayed in conversations between different characters. Their voices never felt unique, genuine or distinctive. A teenager newly arrived from Somalia is unlikely to speak exactly like his grandmother who has lived there for years and yet I struggled to tell them apart. The novel read very much like academic discourse which had been turned into fictional conversation. This made it hard for me to get caught up in the story and invested in the characters. I was initially listening on audio and the narrator was not capturing my attention so I switched to an ebook but that helped only a little.
I feel more distinct and genuine voices for different characters, less of an abstract academic tone for many of them, perhaps a sprinkling of Somali and/or Norwegian words and phrases would have made all the difference. The author has won the Neustadt International Prize for Literature so is obviously highly regarded. Sadly this book just didn’t work for me.
Engrossing story of a secular Somali-Norwegian family who bring their late son’s wife and children to Oslo after he dies while carrying out a suicide bombing for Al Shabaab. TBH, the prose and details of the action seemed very stilted to me. Some of the plotting was also uneven. But the motivations and actions of the characters was interesting.
Really interesting book, dealing with Somali immigrants in Norway. A couple bring their daughter in law and her two children to stay in Oslo after their son kills himself in a terrorist act. The daughter in law digs deeper into her religion, while her two children have differing experiences trying to assimilate into Norway. Very timely novel. Fascinating story, with a bit of a cliffhanger ending.