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hajir's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stephen_baird's review against another edition
4.0
I found the point of view and voice that this was written in extremely difficult to get into, the first few chapters were hard going, but it was so worth the effort in perseverance.
Written from the view of a stranger talking to a stranger at a Lahore café, we explore causes, betrayal, the American dream, cultural expectation and more.
The voice of this novel is extremely distinct, with next to no dialogue between the strangers, the only real dialogue is in the stranger’s reminiscences.
As the evening progresses the story takes a darker turn as if in step with the darkening skies. There is a constant feeling of menace throughout the meeting, and this also progresses with the darkening.
A wonderful novel, worth keeping going through the difficult beginning, which has more to do with the reader than the writer.
Written from the view of a stranger talking to a stranger at a Lahore café, we explore causes, betrayal, the American dream, cultural expectation and more.
The voice of this novel is extremely distinct, with next to no dialogue between the strangers, the only real dialogue is in the stranger’s reminiscences.
As the evening progresses the story takes a darker turn as if in step with the darkening skies. There is a constant feeling of menace throughout the meeting, and this also progresses with the darkening.
A wonderful novel, worth keeping going through the difficult beginning, which has more to do with the reader than the writer.
coinchantal's review against another edition
4.0
I like reading this because of the different point of view on the subject matter. I enjoyed this book. it was different from what I usually read. The ending was something I had to think about and was not totally clear for me.
saraliz15's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
rihamb's review against another edition
1.0
About time that I accept that Mohsin Hamid writes popular books that I hate.
s4yy4d4's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
cemills's review against another edition
2.0
I am not really sure what to say... maybe if I had read this in High School I would have been more impressed? Not that I was not impressed, but perhaps I would have enjoyed it more? It's most likely, though, that I read this in the middle of my ACOTAR frenzy and so I did not give it the full attention and consideration it deserves...
And I am not sure I understand the ending.
But this was boring.
And I am not sure I understand the ending.
Spoiler
Where did the aggression come from? I did not sense that either of them were really a spy or assassin or terrorist or anything until the end of the book and I really had to look on sparknotes to figure it out. Apparently the American was showing aggression or hostility the entire convo? It seemed to me more like reluctance. And also apparently Changez was showing aggression or hostility the entire convo? Call me delusional but it seemed more like hospitality to me, and maybe a little bit of desperation to make conversation. But it definitely seemed to me like a gun was being pulled at the end by the American and that Changez was setting the guy up.But this was boring.
gh98's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0