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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
This was a very enjoyable read! I’ve seen the movie (many many times) which this book was based on. There are slight differences and obviously in the book you hear inner thoughts which really adds to the story. Both are most consumes!
This book was so brilliantly written and so mesmerizing I almost don't have words to describe the feelings it invoked.
Coming out is difficult in any situation. The fears you feel, the judgement you are scared that will be heaped upon you, the fear of reprisal it all builds up inside of you as you say those two little words "I'm gay."
In this novel Shamim touches on those feelings and fears so perfectly and makes her story all the more interesting by showing us how other cultures treat homosexuality; and she does it in such a way that you become fully immersed in the characters and their struggle. You cry when they cry, you laugh when they laugh, and...when they finally become true to who they really are.....you cheer.
However, beyond the layers of homosexuality and acceptance and culture that this story builds on there is an incredible and beautiful love story. A love story so sweet and charming that you just pray for a happy ending.
This was one of the best LGBT novels I've ever read and I feel and hope I have discovered a new author who's other books will live up to this one!
Coming out is difficult in any situation. The fears you feel, the judgement you are scared that will be heaped upon you, the fear of reprisal it all builds up inside of you as you say those two little words "I'm gay."
In this novel Shamim touches on those feelings and fears so perfectly and makes her story all the more interesting by showing us how other cultures treat homosexuality; and she does it in such a way that you become fully immersed in the characters and their struggle. You cry when they cry, you laugh when they laugh, and...when they finally become true to who they really are.....you cheer.
However, beyond the layers of homosexuality and acceptance and culture that this story builds on there is an incredible and beautiful love story. A love story so sweet and charming that you just pray for a happy ending.
This was one of the best LGBT novels I've ever read and I feel and hope I have discovered a new author who's other books will live up to this one!
I expected more of this book, probably because I saw the movie first and really liked it.
The writing is only mediocre, there is too much talk about politics in it (Palestinians vs Israelis) and some scenes are described too detailed (for example the part about her mother buying fish and deciding wheter it was too expensive or not. Who is interested in reading this?) whereas other more interesting scenes lack thereof.
What bothered me the most about this book is the point of view switching during the chapter, it is unnecessary to switch POV's from one paragraph to the next. It would have been better if she just sticked to one POV for at least the duration of the chapter.
Not everything is bad though. I liked the story in general and the interactions between the characters. I also think that Leyla's coming out is really well written and the love story between Leyla and Tala feels real and well developed.
The writing is only mediocre, there is too much talk about politics in it (Palestinians vs Israelis) and some scenes are described too detailed (for example the part about her mother buying fish and deciding wheter it was too expensive or not. Who is interested in reading this?) whereas other more interesting scenes lack thereof.
What bothered me the most about this book is the point of view switching during the chapter, it is unnecessary to switch POV's from one paragraph to the next. It would have been better if she just sticked to one POV for at least the duration of the chapter.
Not everything is bad though. I liked the story in general and the interactions between the characters. I also think that Leyla's coming out is really well written and the love story between Leyla and Tala feels real and well developed.
This book is beautifully written and does a great job with dropping the reader in the Middle Eastern setting, navigating things like family and cultural norms. I especially appreciate the emphasis on generational differences. Not a particularly difficult or heavy read, Tala and Layla are great main characters although their chemistry isn't as easily discernible as I'm used to - which could be on purposes, the author showing a restraint that is indicative of the setting.
While I enjoyed the foreign settings, and cultures, the title though intended to a pun, really gives you an insight in to how you'll feel when reading the book. There are so many POV's that you often times need a score card to remember who's head you're in. That being said, it was still an interesting read, if just for the fierce loyalty displayed by one of the sisters.
I watched the movie adaptation as a teenager when this came out nearly two decades ago. I read it for the first time this week (and then rewatched the movie, which is a wonderfully faithful adaptation. We love when an author gets to be so involved.)
My expectation (and the reason I put off reading the actual book) was that at 31 I'd find this to be dated representation of lesbian love, my main memory of the story being the fact that Leyla and Tala both cheat on their male partners, a wlw plot that I've long been tired of. However, given current events I was compelled to give it a shot, and I'm glad I did.
Yes, the romance is the main focus, but the book also gives more time to other characters and so you get more of the generational divides. You can see how Tala and Leyla are caught between the world their parents grew up in, and the lives their younger siblings believe are so simple to achieve, and it's ... good. The conversations had in this book about the places where culture and sexuality rub, the discussions about Palestine and Israel, and the themes of questioning the ideologies we are born into are (sadly) as relevant today as in 2008.
My expectation (and the reason I put off reading the actual book) was that at 31 I'd find this to be dated representation of lesbian love, my main memory of the story being the fact that Leyla and Tala both cheat on their male partners, a wlw plot that I've long been tired of. However, given current events I was compelled to give it a shot, and I'm glad I did.
Yes, the romance is the main focus, but the book also gives more time to other characters and so you get more of the generational divides. You can see how Tala and Leyla are caught between the world their parents grew up in, and the lives their younger siblings believe are so simple to achieve, and it's ... good. The conversations had in this book about the places where culture and sexuality rub, the discussions about Palestine and Israel, and the themes of questioning the ideologies we are born into are (sadly) as relevant today as in 2008.
this was delightful, a real romcom plot complete with all the good tropes, compelling main characters, even more compelling supporting characters (and amazingly supportive they all were!) and some great one liners. it's clearly a movie plot but going into it aware of that fact i didn't mind in the slightest.
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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