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sinta 's review for:
I Am Pilgrim
by Terry Hayes
This was a gripping, fast-paced read. The interweaving of the micro and macro plot kept things interesting. Unlike other reviewers, I did not find it tedious or overcomplicated - my appetite for complexity is probably even greater than what was delivered. The letter at the back of the book from Terry captures it well - I am the type of person who, when choosing a book like this, likes it to be ‘epic’ and ‘immersive’
My gripes are to do with the intentionality of the author. It is clear that Scott / Peter is meant to be a mirror of the Saracen. But how much of his sexism, Islamophobia, ego, and general right-wing conservativism is a reflection of his characterisation vs the authors own beliefs and biases sneaking in? With truly great writing, there is no question like this lingering, which is why this has to stay a four star read for me
Quotes:
If you want to be free, all you have to do is let go
Edmund Burke said the problem with war is that it usually consumes the very things that you're fighting for - justice, decency, humanity - and I couldn't help but think of how many times I had violated our nation's deepest values in order to protect them.
'You look hunted, he said finally, in that Buddhist way, more in sorrow than in judgement.
Hunted? I laughed and told him it was the first time I had ever heard that: people usually put me on the other side of the food chain.
There is no other side of the food chain,' he said quietly.
'Only the West believes that. Without grace, everyone is running from something.’
Then he thought for a moment. There was one thing the experience had taught him. He said he'd learned that when millions of people, a whole political system, countless numbers of citizens who believed in God, said they were going to kill you - just listen to them.'
I slept, and dreamed that life was beauty;
I woke, and found that life was duty.
My gripes are to do with the intentionality of the author. It is clear that Scott / Peter is meant to be a mirror of the Saracen. But how much of his sexism, Islamophobia, ego, and general right-wing conservativism is a reflection of his characterisation vs the authors own beliefs and biases sneaking in? With truly great writing, there is no question like this lingering, which is why this has to stay a four star read for me
Quotes:
If you want to be free, all you have to do is let go
Edmund Burke said the problem with war is that it usually consumes the very things that you're fighting for - justice, decency, humanity - and I couldn't help but think of how many times I had violated our nation's deepest values in order to protect them.
'You look hunted, he said finally, in that Buddhist way, more in sorrow than in judgement.
Hunted? I laughed and told him it was the first time I had ever heard that: people usually put me on the other side of the food chain.
There is no other side of the food chain,' he said quietly.
'Only the West believes that. Without grace, everyone is running from something.’
Then he thought for a moment. There was one thing the experience had taught him. He said he'd learned that when millions of people, a whole political system, countless numbers of citizens who believed in God, said they were going to kill you - just listen to them.'
I slept, and dreamed that life was beauty;
I woke, and found that life was duty.