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shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
Wow - this was intense. Like The Kiterunner, I had to put it down for awhile part-way through but I'm glad I picked it up again. As children, both the author and the novel's main character moved from a refugee camp in the Sudan to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The novel tells the story of forbidden love between the refugee and a young woman completely veiled and identifiable only by her pink shoes. The description of the warped culture which develops when a society chooses to keep color, beauty, softness, love, anything 'feminine' hidden behind veils and walls, is very powerful.
elliemcc11's review against another edition
4.0
Set in Saudia Arabia this love story between Eritrean immigrant and Saudi born woman certainly lives up to the "love conquers all" premise. It is a beautifully told tale and the descriptions of the environment and culture really set the scene and draw the reader in to this closed community. It is also at times a thrilling, edge of the seat read - I thought the ending was set at just the right level - how accurate to what would likely happen in a case of forbidden love I don't know, but it worked for me as a reader. A fascinating read of many levels.
rosiefrog's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
esther_habs's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
shablakapi's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? No
5.0
tuma's review
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Meh. Felt like it was written by a man who doesn't really understand women. Fiore doesn't feel believable to me as another woman. I spent most of the book rolling my eyes at Naser and her. 😅 But I enjoyed the writing style well enough and learned about how foreigners are treated in Saudi. Overall, not a memorable read but didn't hate it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence and Xenophobia
denimbaobab's review against another edition
3.0
A shocking window into a world of which I know nothing. I hurt for the character. I felt anger for them. And relief for myself, for not being trapped the way they were.
yaizaps's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism, Child abuse, and Sexual harassment
astroneatly's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
3.75