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jabouti's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
While I did have some issues with the book (the parts that were in second person did not feel completely fleshed out, as in, by the time I got to the end, I was still a bit confused as to why the narrator placed so much focus on this character, in the grand scheme of things, to dedicate multiple chapters to addressing him). I thought there could’ve been more character development of the narrator as an adult, but otherwise, the subject matter is what gripped me, and the varying themes at play, and marginalized groups.
thetbrmonster's review
5.0
I was given an advance copy of this book via Net Galley and the publisher Grove Atlantic (Grove Press):
This is the first novel I’ve read by Rabih Alameddine. Struck by the cover and title, little did I know the beauty I was about to uncover. “The Wrong End of the Telescope” is about an Arab-American trans woman and doctor, Mina Simpson, who heads to the Island of Lesbos to provide medical aid to Syrian refugees. Her friend and fellow trans woman, Emma, is leading the charge at a volunteer site where countless refugees are fleeing to after Syria’s dissolution.
While major social and world issues of our time are all present in the book (the Syrian refugee crisis, the perception and treatment of LGBTQIA+ people, and more), what stuck out most to me in this book was how real all of the characters felt and how it really felt like you were there with them in each of these moments, conversations, situations. Alameddine’s words, by way of Mina’s character, showed so much real emotion and thought and help the reader to visualize what being at a refugee camp feels like, both for Mina and her friends and brother, as well as for the people they’re helping, particularly with a refugee by the name of Sumaiya and her family.
The style of writing almost feels like a compilation of short stories, the way it jumps from present to past to connect all the dots of Mina’s life and what’s led all of the characters to where they’re at now. It’s almost as if you’re reading old letters or diary entries, giving the feeling of being a part of the story itself, as if Mina is speaking directly to you. And yet, somehow and quite brilliantly, the narrative is incredibly cohesive and continues to move forward at a steady pace.
The only point of contention I had with the writing was I never quite understood who the “you” she was talking about is. Was it the Lebanese man she met on the plane on the way over? I was never quite sure. (Other reviewers seem to say that Mina is speaking to the author himself, Alameddine, when she starts speaking in second person to “you,” and if so, that concept was quite lost on me, unfortunately. Perhaps it’s because I didn’t know anything about the author before reading the book.)
Nevertheless, this novel was an absolute win for me. It is deeply moving, beautifully written, and one that could be revisited over and over again.
This is the first novel I’ve read by Rabih Alameddine. Struck by the cover and title, little did I know the beauty I was about to uncover. “The Wrong End of the Telescope” is about an Arab-American trans woman and doctor, Mina Simpson, who heads to the Island of Lesbos to provide medical aid to Syrian refugees. Her friend and fellow trans woman, Emma, is leading the charge at a volunteer site where countless refugees are fleeing to after Syria’s dissolution.
While major social and world issues of our time are all present in the book (the Syrian refugee crisis, the perception and treatment of LGBTQIA+ people, and more), what stuck out most to me in this book was how real all of the characters felt and how it really felt like you were there with them in each of these moments, conversations, situations. Alameddine’s words, by way of Mina’s character, showed so much real emotion and thought and help the reader to visualize what being at a refugee camp feels like, both for Mina and her friends and brother, as well as for the people they’re helping, particularly with a refugee by the name of Sumaiya and her family.
The style of writing almost feels like a compilation of short stories, the way it jumps from present to past to connect all the dots of Mina’s life and what’s led all of the characters to where they’re at now. It’s almost as if you’re reading old letters or diary entries, giving the feeling of being a part of the story itself, as if Mina is speaking directly to you. And yet, somehow and quite brilliantly, the narrative is incredibly cohesive and continues to move forward at a steady pace.
The only point of contention I had with the writing was I never quite understood who the “you” she was talking about is. Was it the Lebanese man she met on the plane on the way over? I was never quite sure. (Other reviewers seem to say that Mina is speaking to the author himself, Alameddine, when she starts speaking in second person to “you,” and if so, that concept was quite lost on me, unfortunately. Perhaps it’s because I didn’t know anything about the author before reading the book.)
Nevertheless, this novel was an absolute win for me. It is deeply moving, beautifully written, and one that could be revisited over and over again.
hashim523's review
4.5
I love books on immigration, refugees, and finding a new home. I love books that look at our history, and how we got to the present. I love books about acceptance and hope, comings of age and queerness. And I LOVE books that break my heart.
Loved this one!
kstokesbalt's review
2.0
I'm probably not giving this book enough of a chance - lots of reviews are positive for this one. I am not impressed with the writing and I just started to lose interest. I think I am tougher on books ZI take out of the library. I have two weeks to finish them, and that is usually plenty of time for me, but, I can tell when I'm dragging myself to read something. And when I do, I'm now committed to just stopping and moving on to my next book.
bluebellreads's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
3.75⭐️ the best part of this book was how it portrayed refugees, I really apprecited how it humanised them. In general however, I think the writing just wasn't for me which is why I lowered the rating
cham0haz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
milomoon's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
this is one of most poignant books i've ever read. the prose is beautiful, and the author weaves in her own history as well as the stories of refugees into a beautifully tragic tapestry of human experience. i loved how intersectional this approach is, giving the space for intersecting identities to share the unique experiences of being a queer refugee, being a trans refugee, being a rich, poor, young, old, refugee or volunteer. it also is a book that invites the reader to really think about the role of humanitarian aid and think critically about what systems are being upheld by foreign aid, as well as questioning the motivations of volunteers to provide help in such crises. i would recommend this to literally everyone, but bear in mind that it's (especially now) very topical and emotional
jheher's review
3.0
Bookshop Santa Cruz 2022/22 Winter Reading Program selection.
There were so many components of this book that I was hoping would hit harder. Mina, the protagonist, is a trans woman but there’s little direct challenge to her identity, the Syrian refugee crisis should hit me harder but it doesn’t, even Sumaiya’s suffering seems muted. I kept looking for something to hit me.
In that last pages there’s a line “For a few moments they’d think how terrible it was for these refugees. They’d get outraged on social media for ten minutes. But then they’d pour another glass of Chardonnay.” Perhaps with so much suffering I see on TV and online I’ve become numb.
I hope this book impacts others more significantly. It’s a call to compassion and action. I stayed up late and got up early to finish it so I don’t really know why I didn’t like it more. I’ll be thinking about it for some time. Perhaps I’ll end up updating this review…
There were so many components of this book that I was hoping would hit harder. Mina, the protagonist, is a trans woman but there’s little direct challenge to her identity, the Syrian refugee crisis should hit me harder but it doesn’t, even Sumaiya’s suffering seems muted. I kept looking for something to hit me.
In that last pages there’s a line “For a few moments they’d think how terrible it was for these refugees. They’d get outraged on social media for ten minutes. But then they’d pour another glass of Chardonnay.” Perhaps with so much suffering I see on TV and online I’ve become numb.
I hope this book impacts others more significantly. It’s a call to compassion and action. I stayed up late and got up early to finish it so I don’t really know why I didn’t like it more. I’ll be thinking about it for some time. Perhaps I’ll end up updating this review…