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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
ok so the author directed the movie
the movie is word for word from the book so
basically i read the book
the movie is word for word from the book so
basically i read the book
How interesting that the book and movie were released in November 2008. Sometime you can tell when a book is written before or after, and as I read it, it screamed after. The book feels like you had to watch the movie to understand the love and the characters. There's nothing new here that isn't already on the screen. The relationship progresses in the way movies do, quickly and not fully explored as say a book should.
That said, this movie was huge to teenage me as one of the only lesbian movies available to me on Netflix. I would watch it obsessively though it took me many years after to understand why. So I had to give the book a read. For nostalgia.
That said, this movie was huge to teenage me as one of the only lesbian movies available to me on Netflix. I would watch it obsessively though it took me many years after to understand why. So I had to give the book a read. For nostalgia.
I was pretty disappointed with this book, it had such great potential from the synopsis, but it fell way short of my expectations.
I think the crux of my disappointment lay with the shortness of the story, which resulted in feeling like the book began halfway through a larger storyline. There was no getting to know the characters, and yet they quickly fell madly in love after one meeting. The author referred to how the characters families would react to Tala and Leyla coming out as gay, and yet this wasn't displayed on the page; just superficially glossed over, as if it wasn't a big deal in their worlds.
Overall, quite a let down and unfortunately not a book i would recommend if you are wanting a plot that is indepth, believable or engaging.
I think the crux of my disappointment lay with the shortness of the story, which resulted in feeling like the book began halfway through a larger storyline. There was no getting to know the characters, and yet they quickly fell madly in love after one meeting. The author referred to how the characters families would react to Tala and Leyla coming out as gay, and yet this wasn't displayed on the page; just superficially glossed over, as if it wasn't a big deal in their worlds.
Overall, quite a let down and unfortunately not a book i would recommend if you are wanting a plot that is indepth, believable or engaging.
Had high hopes with all of the great reviews, but man, this book just did not do it for me. Unfinished subplots, loads of unlikeable characters (but not even well-written “villains” at that), wildly unnecessary level of description in every scene, and honestly, I barely knew or cared about the two main characters by the last page. Perhaps this book would’ve benefited from a few more chapters to flesh out some more believable character development—but perhaps if it had been longer, I wouldn’t have finished it.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Cute-ish romance with an interesting flavour of different cultures and their interactions. A few too many stereotypes but my main criticism is that we are told that the main characters fall for each other without really being shown why. A lot of love for not a love of reason.
medium-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated
I did find this book enjoyable. There's too much tragedy in film and literature about lesbian romance that I rejoice positive narratives such as this. HOWEVER, I also find the writing sappy and corny. Reading Sarah Waters now, Sarif's lackluster style of writing becomes stark. I also wonder about Sarif's political views with regards to Arab politics. I am, by no means, an expert in the area, but I've read a few about the subject - and Sarif's views seem to be misguided given the stuff I've read. Tala's and Hani's views, for example, are portrayed as progressive, when in fact they misrepresent the Israeli-Palestine conflict. Tala seems to have missed reading Talal Asad's On Suicide, which shows when she remarks that suicide bombing is a function of a distorted religious belief, in which people are simply promised paradise in exchange for their lives. She and Hani can also benefit from reading Kundnani's The Muslims Are Coming to understand the politics involving Muslims in Israel, as well as in her own London. I think Kareem makes the most political sense, but he is outright dismissed. Characters in the book reek of privilege they seem to not notice or, otherwise, ignore vehemently. But I have to remind myself that this is not a book about politics. It's a happy chappy romance book with a narrative that satisfied me when I needed something that is exactly what it's about - a romance book.
Almost word for word the movie, yet had some different or longer scenes. Both are very good. It was interesting to see the minor differences between book and film, as some worked better than their counterparts. Both are just different enough that I honestly couldn't say I prefer one over the other, but rather I like them equally well.