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jamchow's review against another edition
5.0
I have to wait until I go to sleep and then wake up again to write a review for this because I can’t stop crying. This book has touched me in a way that I don’t really know that any other book ever has.
Okay here it is, in all it's bad review glory:
Where do I begin with this “review?” How do I say that this book has touched my soul in a way no other book has? Can I say that this has replaced Ari and Dante as my second favorite book (after HP?) Is that a betrayal? I don’t really know if I can convey my feelings towards this novel.
This was not an easy book for me to read. I did not fly through it as one might think. I sometimes had to force myself to pick it up, to keep reading and yet and yet and yet. The writing is absolutely stunning. There are so many scenes, so many sentences that I know I will keep coming back to for the rest of my life. As soon as I finished it, I had the urge to go back and look. All day today, I have felt drawn back toward the book I just put down. That hasn’t happened to me since A+D. I do not think a single book has ever made me cry so much as this one. It sliced my heart open so many times. A Place For Us reminds me why representation matters so much. Obviously, this is not an exact mirror of my life, but I don't think I have ever felt so seen as I did in this book. Like someone else knows and has experienced what I have (albeit they aren't real). The reason why it took my so long was because everytime I started reading, this lump would gather in my throat. I really can’t gather all the words to describe it, but it was definitely a physical, emotional, and mental experience for me. The little slices of urdu thrown in the book just made it so homey.
This is a book about a Indian-Muslim family who is first gen American. The bulk of the book takes place in the years between 1980-2016 if I remember correctly. It follows a few different perspectives all within the same family, but mostly the oldest daughter and youngest son of this family. Both of them resonated with me on different levels- Hadia for her struggle as a female, a daughter, a sister, always do the right thing person which can be extremely hard for other people who are not in a similar community to relate to because it’s complicated. And Amar for his struggle to grapple with his identity, not fitting in, his religious struggle. I felt for Amar and I felt seen. I felt like I wasn’t alone. The other characters (I wish we got more insight into Huda, the middle daughter’s character because for much of the story she is put to the side and only at the end do we get some dimension)- mom and dad were also so well written. It’s so hard to see things from everyone’s perspective- to show the nuances of a situation, why each person reacts and thinks as they do and the ways that can break our hearts. No family is perfect because no human is perfect. We hurt each other often more than anyone else in the world can.
I think this novel deals so gently, yet forcefully with religion, love, death, family, drug abuse, identity, and class. The last section absolutely broke me. I have been torn apart in the best way. I know I didn’t do a great job expressing my love for it- I can only say that I have so much to say when actually talking about it in person. Not to be dramatic, but it has taken a piece of me with it and I will carry a piece of it wherever I go.
Okay here it is, in all it's bad review glory:
Where do I begin with this “review?” How do I say that this book has touched my soul in a way no other book has? Can I say that this has replaced Ari and Dante as my second favorite book (after HP?) Is that a betrayal? I don’t really know if I can convey my feelings towards this novel.
This was not an easy book for me to read. I did not fly through it as one might think. I sometimes had to force myself to pick it up, to keep reading and yet and yet and yet. The writing is absolutely stunning. There are so many scenes, so many sentences that I know I will keep coming back to for the rest of my life. As soon as I finished it, I had the urge to go back and look. All day today, I have felt drawn back toward the book I just put down. That hasn’t happened to me since A+D. I do not think a single book has ever made me cry so much as this one. It sliced my heart open so many times. A Place For Us reminds me why representation matters so much. Obviously, this is not an exact mirror of my life, but I don't think I have ever felt so seen as I did in this book. Like someone else knows and has experienced what I have (albeit they aren't real). The reason why it took my so long was because everytime I started reading, this lump would gather in my throat. I really can’t gather all the words to describe it, but it was definitely a physical, emotional, and mental experience for me. The little slices of urdu thrown in the book just made it so homey.
This is a book about a Indian-Muslim family who is first gen American. The bulk of the book takes place in the years between 1980-2016 if I remember correctly. It follows a few different perspectives all within the same family, but mostly the oldest daughter and youngest son of this family. Both of them resonated with me on different levels- Hadia for her struggle as a female, a daughter, a sister, always do the right thing person which can be extremely hard for other people who are not in a similar community to relate to because it’s complicated. And Amar for his struggle to grapple with his identity, not fitting in, his religious struggle. I felt for Amar and I felt seen. I felt like I wasn’t alone. The other characters (I wish we got more insight into Huda, the middle daughter’s character because for much of the story she is put to the side and only at the end do we get some dimension)- mom and dad were also so well written. It’s so hard to see things from everyone’s perspective- to show the nuances of a situation, why each person reacts and thinks as they do and the ways that can break our hearts. No family is perfect because no human is perfect. We hurt each other often more than anyone else in the world can.
I think this novel deals so gently, yet forcefully with religion, love, death, family, drug abuse, identity, and class. The last section absolutely broke me. I have been torn apart in the best way. I know I didn’t do a great job expressing my love for it- I can only say that I have so much to say when actually talking about it in person. Not to be dramatic, but it has taken a piece of me with it and I will carry a piece of it wherever I go.
keegan_rellim_taylor's review against another edition
4.0
My sister-in-law recommended this to me, so I chose it for a book club discussion. It's the story of a Muslim family in California. The parents are very devout and the two older sisters follow their lead. The younger brothers struggles to fit. He feels out of place and can't seem to find his place.
I am fond of books that follow a linear timeline and was a little turned off how this book jumped around. However, revelations unfolded in this way that became clear as the story progressed. The story climaxed at the end so powerfully! I was in tears.
This is a slow, internal story. It looks at family events from different family member's perspectives, so it is very cerebral. The themes about family are so intricate and allow a lot of room for discussion. Who tells the story? Who doesn't? Why?
There's also so much about faith and love.
I am fond of books that follow a linear timeline and was a little turned off how this book jumped around. However, revelations unfolded in this way that became clear as the story progressed. The story climaxed at the end so powerfully! I was in tears.
This is a slow, internal story. It looks at family events from different family member's perspectives, so it is very cerebral. The themes about family are so intricate and allow a lot of room for discussion. Who tells the story? Who doesn't? Why?
There's also so much about faith and love.
harkless's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
gregz_newdorkreviewofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
A tender, carefully rendered tale of a Muslim family living in California. A little too deliberate for me (cynical reviewer says "MFAiest MFA fiction ever), but I definitely respect the craft.
nadianassar's review against another edition
5.0
I almost gave up on this book and I'm so glad that I didn't.
Typically I read at least 50 pages of a book before deciding whether to continue. If I'm not drawn into the story, I will call it quits. A Place for Us seemed to be headed for that fate too but for some reason I kept going. I was rewarded with one of the most heartfelt stories I have ever read. I cannot believe this is a debut novel and am so excited to see (and read) what Mirza does next.
A Place for Us is subtle and quiet. In the beginning, it may seem like nothing is there to captivate the reader, but slowly you're introduced to a complex, meaningful, and sometimes heartbreaking story of two immigrant parents, their first generation children, and the complications that ensue from trying to live in the West while retaining the cultures and beliefs of your homeland.
The last third of the book solidified this as one of my favourite novels of all time and Part 4 had me crying continuously (something that is uncommon for me when reading). All this is to say that if the plot interests you and you are willing to stick with an unassuming story, A Place for Us is well worth it!
Typically I read at least 50 pages of a book before deciding whether to continue. If I'm not drawn into the story, I will call it quits. A Place for Us seemed to be headed for that fate too but for some reason I kept going. I was rewarded with one of the most heartfelt stories I have ever read. I cannot believe this is a debut novel and am so excited to see (and read) what Mirza does next.
A Place for Us is subtle and quiet. In the beginning, it may seem like nothing is there to captivate the reader, but slowly you're introduced to a complex, meaningful, and sometimes heartbreaking story of two immigrant parents, their first generation children, and the complications that ensue from trying to live in the West while retaining the cultures and beliefs of your homeland.
The last third of the book solidified this as one of my favourite novels of all time and Part 4 had me crying continuously (something that is uncommon for me when reading). All this is to say that if the plot interests you and you are willing to stick with an unassuming story, A Place for Us is well worth it!
ericacapete's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rainbowroshenpower's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jessreallywantsitall's review against another edition
5.0
This book truly moved me. I can honestly say that there were times I had no clue where the story was taking me but the journey was so clear in the end. Heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. The book has many little details that refer to earlier stories, perhaps even the same story but told from someone else’s perspective, and the true beauty in it is that it doesn’t feel forced.
If there’s one clear message that will stick with me from this book it’s that regardless of gender/sex, religion, race, or age: every family has its struggles and everyone does what they think is best with the information and knowledge they have at that time. We just don’t always know what is best for ourselves and/or each other. We are all human and we can learn from each other. Being honest and vulnerable, truly open, with each other will lead to surprising connections that will benefit us all.
If there’s one clear message that will stick with me from this book it’s that regardless of gender/sex, religion, race, or age: every family has its struggles and everyone does what they think is best with the information and knowledge they have at that time. We just don’t always know what is best for ourselves and/or each other. We are all human and we can learn from each other. Being honest and vulnerable, truly open, with each other will lead to surprising connections that will benefit us all.