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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This is a novel about brave women. There are male characters, but the women do most of the brave deeds: Nour in the modern story and Rawiya in the ancient one. A refreshing change.
Bakr, the male apprentice in the ancient story, seems present merely to be a foil to Rawiya: he is fearful where she is brave; he overlooks answers while she figures them out. He does have a few moments of slightly more development, but after his death he is barely missed. Zahra with her attitude at first seems only a foil to the more caring Huda. However, she does get more fully developed around the middle of the novel.
The language can get obtrusive. Having Nour be synesthetic inserts color into sound descriptions in a disruptive way. At least it does become an important detail 3/4 of the way through. And as the novel progresses, it is used less. Only enough to remind us of the feature.
The narrative structure is pleasing. I especially enjoy modern intertwined with early history, or ven parallel histories. Actually they intertwine only occasionally. And the look at the life of a refugee is important for out times. I did feel that the modern story, with all its struggles and few losses, ended up too neatly completed. The ancient story was more mythic in nature, so its unconvincing happy endings was less intrusive.
Bakr, the male apprentice in the ancient story, seems present merely to be a foil to Rawiya: he is fearful where she is brave; he overlooks answers while she figures them out. He does have a few moments of slightly more development, but after his death he is barely missed. Zahra with her attitude at first seems only a foil to the more caring Huda. However, she does get more fully developed around the middle of the novel.
The language can get obtrusive. Having Nour be synesthetic inserts color into sound descriptions in a disruptive way. At least it does become an important detail 3/4 of the way through. And as the novel progresses, it is used less. Only enough to remind us of the feature.
The narrative structure is pleasing. I especially enjoy modern intertwined with early history, or ven parallel histories. Actually they intertwine only occasionally. And the look at the life of a refugee is important for out times. I did feel that the modern story, with all its struggles and few losses, ended up too neatly completed. The ancient story was more mythic in nature, so its unconvincing happy endings was less intrusive.
Story of a Syrian Family as they leave their beloved country. All the complications that they face seem insurmountable and yet Family and old folk tales keep them going.
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
A young girl's father passes and the family moves to Syria. But, as we all know, Syria is under significant duress right now. Her story is weaved with a myth/legend/story about a girl named Rawiyna from the 1000/1100 CE. Good book - slow to start, but got better. Also - a great description of being a refugee
I think I would have enjoyed this more if I would have read a hard copy instead of listening to audio. The switch between storyline felt choppy in audio.