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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
informative
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A funny, fascinating and affecting book. Great example of fiction’s ability to open up completely different perspectives and worlds
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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:
Yes
There are two parallel storylines in this book, both of which I loved.
The main story revolves around a (fictional) UN program in Iraq to deradicalize and rehabilitate ISIS brides. It gives a tongue in cheek view of how development institutions operate, the inter-relationship between different departments and with the government and embassies, how budgets are utilized (or not), and of how local wisdom is often ignored. While clearly fictional, many of the characters, situations and locations are equally clearly based on reality. The author, herself, has worked as a consultant in Iraq for several years which gives the book an added edge. Reading about the ISIS brides, one wants to read up more about them.
The story plays against the backdrop of the personal life of the protagonist. Nadia was brought up in the UK as an orthodox Muslim. She wore her headscarf 98% of the time, prayed regularly, and tried to fit into the image her mother had of her. Till one day when she was thrown out of the family and had to chart her own path. She enrolled for a Masters degree, then did a PhD and had a ten year long relationship with a woman with whom she even got matching tattoos. When that relationship petered out, Nadia threw herself into drinking, partying and having sex whenever and with whoever she could. The parts I loved the most were the interactions between Nadia and her mother. Though that uneasy relationship was told from Nadia's perspective, her mother too emerges as a character with unexpected depth.
A story which is deep, but which is told with wit, humour and a lot of empathy.
I read this book as a part of my endeavour to read all the books shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction, 2025
The main story revolves around a (fictional) UN program in Iraq to deradicalize and rehabilitate ISIS brides. It gives a tongue in cheek view of how development institutions operate, the inter-relationship between different departments and with the government and embassies, how budgets are utilized (or not), and of how local wisdom is often ignored. While clearly fictional, many of the characters, situations and locations are equally clearly based on reality. The author, herself, has worked as a consultant in Iraq for several years which gives the book an added edge. Reading about the ISIS brides, one wants to read up more about them.
The story plays against the backdrop of the personal life of the protagonist. Nadia was brought up in the UK as an orthodox Muslim. She wore her headscarf 98% of the time, prayed regularly, and tried to fit into the image her mother had of her. Till one day when she was thrown out of the family and had to chart her own path. She enrolled for a Masters degree, then did a PhD and had a ten year long relationship with a woman with whom she even got matching tattoos. When that relationship petered out, Nadia threw herself into drinking, partying and having sex whenever and with whoever she could. The parts I loved the most were the interactions between Nadia and her mother. Though that uneasy relationship was told from Nadia's perspective, her mother too emerges as a character with unexpected depth.
A story which is deep, but which is told with wit, humour and a lot of empathy.
I read this book as a part of my endeavour to read all the books shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction, 2025
challenging
dark
funny
fast-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:
Yes
A Catherine Newman and a Nina Stibbe endorsement? I don’t even know what to do with that! I was either going to love it or lose all faith, and that’s the mindset I went into this book with. Bold gets thrown around a lot when describing books, but this one truly is.
If you’re not vibing with the humour, I’d put it down. It’s dark, and Younis takes it precariously close to the point of no return. Some readers might find this confronting, given the book's topic, but I am all about it. I relished the caustic humour. Don’t be fooled, though; it is a nuanced approach to a very complex topic. Every character is messy, a little deranged and completely lovable. And it's ultimately hopeful and compassionate.
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a very interesting story and I did enjoy it, which surprised me (as I did read some of the negative reviews and got scared about how things would turn out). I do think the book had a bit of an odd start, and I was at a couple of points uncomfortable with some of the sexual details in the book (particularly the stuff about Rosy's period sex ). But I overall felt myself enjoying reading this, wanting to know what was going to happen next, and I felt the ending to be very heart-warming, though I wish we got any sort of closure about Aisha . My heart broke for her and I was hoping she'd get any sort of happy ending.
Overall, I would still would recommend this to others and I feel that it is a 4 star read.
Overall, I would still would recommend this to others and I feel that it is a 4 star read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Child abuse, Death, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, War
Minor: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Drug use, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Self harm, Suicide, Transphobia, Murder, Alcohol, Deportation
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
informative
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
dark
funny
tense
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:
Yes