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A review by dennisfischman
The Dervish House by Ian McDonald
3.0
This would be someone’s favorite book, I think, but not mine.
I liked everything I learned about Istanbul and Islam; the geography, the history, the myths, foods, and smells. I like the hard science fiction aspects of the book, and it would be interesting to look back at it six years from now and see what has become real.
Oddly, however, all that reality is wrapped up in a fairy tale where everyone has a happy ending. And that is emblematic of the way the book felt contrived. At its best, it presents some beautiful writing at worst, it watches itself present it.
I liked the old Greek and the nine-year-old, and I felt for the young man who started seeing jinn. As for the other main characters, I would pay money not to meet them in real life.
I liked everything I learned about Istanbul and Islam; the geography, the history, the myths, foods, and smells. I like the hard science fiction aspects of the book, and it would be interesting to look back at it six years from now and see what has become real.
Oddly, however, all that reality is wrapped up in a fairy tale where everyone has a happy ending. And that is emblematic of the way the book felt contrived. At its best, it presents some beautiful writing at worst, it watches itself present it.
I liked the old Greek and the nine-year-old, and I felt for the young man who started seeing jinn. As for the other main characters, I would pay money not to meet them in real life.