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jennrocca's review against another edition
4.0
The writing is beautiful and the characters are interesting and complex. I listed to it in audio and I think it would be better in print. There is a lot of jumping through timelines and it took me a long time to learn the characters and the timelines.
mochiboy99's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5
leaned a bit too far into tropes i’ve heard before — emotionally burdened eldest daughter, erased middle child, emotionally erratic youngest son, flat immigrant mother, abusive immigrant father, idealized competing family with perfect parallels to the family at the center of the story. i found it predictable and tired because of that, but i was also deeply deeply moved by the vivid portrayal of a pakistani muslim family so similar (but different) to my own. the character development is great, the imagery is well done, the characters are evocative and startlingly close to real people i know.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
kirsto515's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
4.0
The finish saved the book. Was not enjoying it that much. Story of Muslim Indian family in CA with 2 sisters and a drug addict brother. The last section from dad’s perspective talking to his lost son are beautiful.
pmrichard1's review against another edition
4.0
Really really loved this book, probably 4.5. The writing was amazing and so detailed and vivid, and loved the way the story was told. Found the ending desperately sad but really liked how it was done.
mrnsph's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Absolutely loved it!
The characters feel very real
The characters feel very real
jennyvetvik's review against another edition
5.0
I actually really loved this book and have frequently thought about it since I finished it. It is a beautiful exposition of a Muslim family living in California. It grapples with so many different issues, and the writing was breathtakingly beautiful. The best part was the last chapters, written as a letter from the father's perspective to his estranged son, and that absolutely broke me. Love love loved this book.
haroon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Absolutely loved this book! I feel like it did a great job capturing the lived experience of a Muslim / South Asian American family. I found myself crying at some events in the book.
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
I tried with this book, I really did. But it’s just not working for me. The jumping around in time has no rhythm to it. The family/characters are interesting but the story is slow. I’m interested in knowing how this ends but not that interested. Since I already finished a book I didn’t enjoy this month, I’m throwing in the towel.