Reviews

A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

cassiejoy's review against another edition

Almost 10 hours into the 17 hour audiobook and I just couldn’t stick with the spiral timeline storytelling.

megareads42's review against another edition

4.0

Took me a bit to get into this one, but I'm so glad I did. This is a case of writing for me being a 5, and plot, etc. being more of a 3. The first half of the book I was kind of turned off by all the time and character jumping. I thought it was disorienting and occasionally lost track of who was speaking. I also found some characters more likable/developed than others, and felt that the switches in perspective contributed to that. I did think the last section, from Rafiq's perspective was very powerful and was one of my favorite parts of the book. I also appreciated the casual yet detailed treatment of religion in the book, I really learned a lot from it.

chelshudsonreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

mufanis's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad 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

5.0

janey's review against another edition

5.0

This was quite beautifully written and the story was told in a way that belies Mirza's youth.

fablesandfolios's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely loved this phenomenal book. It has everything! Diversity, real life issues placed in fiction so those who read it can face it, and know they’re not alone (and for some, a cautious tale and a reminder that saving face isn’t worth losing the ones you love). The story hits close to home, in fact I found myself personally relating to many parts of the story, and I was stunned to see myself in a novel written by a POC woman. (Did I mention the story revolves around a desi family, a desi community, and so much representation of brown culture in a foreign land that I nearly cried only for the reason I saw myself in there, with similar experiences as shown in the novel and I am just in love)
I genuinely don’t want to spoil the story for anyone but this wonder of a novel is easily one of my top 5 favourites of 2018!

sadhika's review against another edition

4.0

I cried way too much for the entirety of this book so not in the best headspace to write a coherent review.
Perhaps at any other time in my life this would’ve been easier to read and I would be able to discuss this better, but all I feel is deep sorrow for the characters and for anyone who has grieved the loss of someone who chose to walk away. There isn’t a name for a person who loses someone that is still alive and maybe that’s because it is too painful to label it, and makes it too real, too final and shuts the door on the possibility of them ever finding their way back.

szdalessa's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kelsielovesbooks's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, and Miscarriage

emilytasaka's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0