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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
sad
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
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a backlog Amazon Unforgettable Reads book. While this has not been my favorite choice of theirs, it has given be food for thought and I am not likely to forget it.
This recounting of events in the life of a young Muslim Pakistani girl as she comes to the understanding of who she has given me things to think about. Cultural expectations have a huge part in this book as well as the role she has as she grows into a woman.
There is a scene of extreme animal cruelty near the beginning of the book.
This recounting of events in the life of a young Muslim Pakistani girl as she comes to the understanding of who she has given me things to think about. Cultural expectations have a huge part in this book as well as the role she has as she grows into a woman.
There is a scene of extreme animal cruelty near the beginning of the book.
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
this fell flat for me unfortunately :/ while the beginning was well-written, it didn’t capture my attention. Plus the queer plotline didn’t pick up until over halfway through the book and the ending felt very abrupt and unrealistic.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
This is a beautiful coming of age story about a queer Pakistani American girl in Queens. The writing is structured like vignettes as she grows up, then it turns to a more linear plot when she reaches high school. I felt like the author holds so many painful themes with care. Razia contends with many topics that her family and community disagree on—sexuality, Americanness, marriage, friendship, fashion, self-image.
I listened to the audiobook and devoured it over a weekend while traveling. I love when authors narrate their own books! I would like to read a physical copy in the future to spend more time with this book.
I listened to the audiobook and devoured it over a weekend while traveling. I love when authors narrate their own books! I would like to read a physical copy in the future to spend more time with this book.
I don't like it it's just like nostalgia for a time that I am not nostalgic for, lol? If that makes sense. Also young coming to age is usually not my type
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A lot of interesting ideas and themes, but I don't think they were done well. The first half of the book is so drastically different from the second, almost memoir like and far too slow. Most of the characters are terrible - for example, there is discussion of parents hitting children, domestic abuse and a graphic scene of a kitten being murdered. The relationships were ick because of this.
I expected the queer aspect to be much more forward but it was such a small part. The setting and characters had a bit too much going on for me - different religion and cultures, set in America, in the 80s.
The younger sister is mute for whatever reason - the mother praises her for "not being difficult". There is so much that's just gross and uncomfortable - books should be likeable or interesting. I found very little that was likeable, and the fact that this was basically soft trauma porn is not interesting in the slightest to me. The ending was too abrupt and I really feel this is a novel where an epilogue would have suited - how did things work out for her? We spent so long listening to her agonise over everything, was there at least a time in her future where she didn't have to hide herself?
The author was the narrator and was quite good. The writing wasn't terrible, but I don't think I'd come back to this author.
I expected the queer aspect to be much more forward but it was such a small part. The setting and characters had a bit too much going on for me - different religion and cultures, set in America, in the 80s.
The younger sister is mute for whatever reason - the mother praises her for "not being difficult". There is so much that's just gross and uncomfortable - books should be likeable or interesting. I found very little that was likeable, and the fact that this was basically soft trauma porn is not interesting in the slightest to me. The ending was too abrupt and I really feel this is a novel where an epilogue would have suited - how did things work out for her? We spent so long listening to her agonise over everything, was there at least a time in her future where she didn't have to hide herself?
The author was the narrator and was quite good. The writing wasn't terrible, but I don't think I'd come back to this author.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So excellent. Was so absorbed in Raiza’s story. Beautifully written.