Scan barcode
taylor1997's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Rape, Violence, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, and Murder
Minor: War and Self harm
vrobert's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I was completely drawn in by the complex women in this book! It felt like peeling back the layers of an onion as the story unfolded. I was afraid at times that the despair of the situations experienced by so many of the women in the book would become overwhelming, but at the end there was just enough hint of hope to make it okay for me. Many of its sentences made me stop and reflect.
The only thing I enjoyed less was Yusuf’s personal arc, which didn’t feel necessary, though I suppose it did provide a slightly different gaze and might’ve been meant to instruct us about the Afghan judicial system. However the way he approached and interpreted the female main characters’ actions and situations was pretty … milquetoast and simple. He lacked the introspection and the level of character development written into the female characters. I was always glad to return to the other main characters’ points of view and I skim read his last chapters.
Other than that, the rest of the book was captivating! However I would recommend it to others only with fair warnings about the difficult topics and situations broached, as well as the more wordy/slightly more “tell, not show” writing style, which might not be to everyone’s liking.
The only thing I enjoyed less was Yusuf’s personal arc, which didn’t feel necessary, though I suppose it did provide a slightly different gaze and might’ve been meant to instruct us about the Afghan judicial system. However the way he approached and interpreted the female main characters’ actions and situations was pretty … milquetoast and simple. He lacked the introspection and the level of character development written into the female characters. I was always glad to return to the other main characters’ points of view and I skim read his last chapters.
Other than that, the rest of the book was captivating! However I would recommend it to others only with fair warnings about the difficult topics and situations broached, as well as the more wordy/slightly more “tell, not show” writing style, which might not be to everyone’s liking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Pedophilia, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
keilahr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexual assault
advcroft's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Domestic abuse
claudia_bow's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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? No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Sexual content
More...