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A review by jammy_sam
The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years by Shubnum Khan
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Mini Synopsis:
Sana and her father move to an apartment inside an old coastal mansion in South Africa to give themselves a fresh start after a number of years spent grieving multiple losses. While she spends her days getting to know the other tenants, Sana also slowly brings the unsettling history of the mansion to the surface - a history of tragedy and loss, but also of love and hope.
What I liked:
The lyrical, deeply atmospheric writing style really got me. It was sensual - but I don't mean in a sexy way. I could smell the jasmine that grew and blossomed outside Meena's bedroom window, taste the flavourful meals with their perfectly crushed and toasted aromatic spices, hear the creaks and groans of the house as it endures the curious prying of a young girl - you get the point. Khan's writing is extremely immersive and descriptive, putting you right there in the mansion with her characters.
The story itself, while not what I was expecting, was quite beautiful - drenched in grief and love and the perfect amount of hope, the mystery of the mansion and the people who live and have lived there is unraveled in a delightfully unhurried fashion. A slow-burn story really works for me, and I felt this one had great emotional payoff.
Also! Despite being a pretty short book with a large cast of characters, I think they all have surprisingly decent depth, and I found myself caring quite a bit how most of their stories would end. Not to say that every character is likeable, including one half of the main love story of the past, Akbar, but it wouldn't be very interesting if no one had flaws.
What wasn't for me:
You may have noticed there has been no mention of the djinn until now...it's not a huge deal overall, but I do feel the story would have had the same impact without the djinn's occasional haunting presence in the mansion. The house itself is given enough personality to make up for the absence of the ancient being. I believe in South Africa, this book is actually titled The Lost Love of Akbar Menzil, which I honestly think suits the story a lot better!
Otherwise, I think the marketing of the book was a little off - it's made to look like a historical horror novel, but while it has gothic vibes and setting with some disturbing imagery here and there, it is not a frightening book. It's more literary with a touch of magical realism.
Who is this book for?:
I would suggest this book to readers who enjoy emotional, slow-paced stories with mysterious elements. There's a large cast of characters and perspective (3rd person POV) shifts frequently, including shifts in time from past to present - so this book is best for a reader who won't be bothered by this type of storytelling. It's a great novel for someone looking for atmospheric, lyrical prose and who will enjoy a story that is set in primarily one location (in this case a gothic mansion by the sea).
Sana and her father move to an apartment inside an old coastal mansion in South Africa to give themselves a fresh start after a number of years spent grieving multiple losses. While she spends her days getting to know the other tenants, Sana also slowly brings the unsettling history of the mansion to the surface - a history of tragedy and loss, but also of love and hope.
What I liked:
The lyrical, deeply atmospheric writing style really got me. It was sensual - but I don't mean in a sexy way. I could smell the jasmine that grew and blossomed outside Meena's bedroom window, taste the flavourful meals with their perfectly crushed and toasted aromatic spices, hear the creaks and groans of the house as it endures the curious prying of a young girl - you get the point. Khan's writing is extremely immersive and descriptive, putting you right there in the mansion with her characters.
The story itself, while not what I was expecting, was quite beautiful - drenched in grief and love and the perfect amount of hope, the mystery of the mansion and the people who live and have lived there is unraveled in a delightfully unhurried fashion. A slow-burn story really works for me, and I felt this one had great emotional payoff.
Also! Despite being a pretty short book with a large cast of characters, I think they all have surprisingly decent depth, and I found myself caring quite a bit how most of their stories would end. Not to say that every character is likeable, including one half of the main love story of the past, Akbar, but it wouldn't be very interesting if no one had flaws.
What wasn't for me:
You may have noticed there has been no mention of the djinn until now...it's not a huge deal overall, but I do feel the story would have had the same impact without the djinn's occasional haunting presence in the mansion. The house itself is given enough personality to make up for the absence of the ancient being. I believe in South Africa, this book is actually titled The Lost Love of Akbar Menzil, which I honestly think suits the story a lot better!
Otherwise, I think the marketing of the book was a little off - it's made to look like a historical horror novel, but while it has gothic vibes and setting with some disturbing imagery here and there, it is not a frightening book. It's more literary with a touch of magical realism.
Who is this book for?:
I would suggest this book to readers who enjoy emotional, slow-paced stories with mysterious elements. There's a large cast of characters and perspective (3rd person POV) shifts frequently, including shifts in time from past to present - so this book is best for a reader who won't be bothered by this type of storytelling. It's a great novel for someone looking for atmospheric, lyrical prose and who will enjoy a story that is set in primarily one location (in this case a gothic mansion by the sea).