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A review by jstilts
Swimming on the Lawn by Yasmin Hamid
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
A beautiful poetical book that shows Sudan of the 1960s through the eyes of young Farida, the oldest of three siblings living in Khartoum.
Each chapter follows Farida through a different day in her life, revealing to us only what she understands and revelling in the small details that grab her attention. A sense of foreboding hangs over the book, I think partly because as an adult I am uncomfortable with not understanding everything that is happening, whereas for Farida that is just life as a child: not always comprehending, and rarely getting explanations from adults - Farida takes a lot on trust, and to be fair her trust is well placed.
Nevertheless that sense of foreboding is eventually borne out - this is a turning point in Sudan's history after all - and it's an emotional few days only made more intense by feeling it through Farida.
It's hard to believe this is Junior Fiction - while in theory very accessible for young readers, they may have trouble sticking with what would seem like an aimless plot. As an adult, these are beautiful slices of life and a fascinating insight into Sudanese culture, even if the final chapters brings tears to the eye.
Each chapter follows Farida through a different day in her life, revealing to us only what she understands and revelling in the small details that grab her attention. A sense of foreboding hangs over the book, I think partly because as an adult I am uncomfortable with not understanding everything that is happening, whereas for Farida that is just life as a child: not always comprehending, and rarely getting explanations from adults - Farida takes a lot on trust, and to be fair her trust is well placed.
Nevertheless that sense of foreboding is eventually borne out - this is a turning point in Sudan's history after all - and it's an emotional few days only made more intense by feeling it through Farida.
It's hard to believe this is Junior Fiction - while in theory very accessible for young readers, they may have trouble sticking with what would seem like an aimless plot. As an adult, these are beautiful slices of life and a fascinating insight into Sudanese culture, even if the final chapters brings tears to the eye.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Death, Kidnapping, and War