vrinda_01 's review for:

The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi
1.75
mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
Anisa is addicted to her phone. She likes making vague generalisations about the "immigrant struggle". She's self centred to the point of ruining the relationships around her. She's ambitious but directionless. She's lazy. She's naive, and a little stupid. Her parents pay the rent for her London apartment. At one point she blames her personality on the "trauma" caused by her mother getting a c-section instead of having a natural birth. Mind you, she's in her mid-thirties. 

Basically imagine the most annoying person ever being your protagonist and put them in a sci-fi mystery. Pair that with immature interpersonal relationship drama, weird time jumps, surface level world building, and you have a a story that has you going "...ok?" for 300 pages. This book tries to tackle bigger topics of colonialism, racism, and misogyny, but does it at such a superficial level that it feels performative and rings hollow. The sci-fi elements and approach to cannibalism receive the same vague treatment that just left me feeling annoyed. What was the point? It really felt like the author couldn't commit to one thing, so they did a little bit of everything and did it poorly. Also the cover is ugly. 
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