Scan barcode
A review by vaishsviews
The Baghdad Clock by Shahad Al Rawi
3.0
3.5⭐️
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this book. It’s a good book but I’m just not a fan of magic realism.
The Baghdad Clock is a compelling story about two girls who grow up in the midst of the Gulf War. They rely on one another as well as their close-knit neighbourhood through such turbulent times. As they grow older, their lives are changed and will never be the same again.
I really enjoyed the narration of the story - it was easy to read without minimising the devastation and chaos caused by the war. I especially valued the narration being told from a child’s perspective because it is written in such a way that the war doesn’t take centre stage but rather, is just another event that they have to ensure. Instead the focus is that of lasting friendships and budding relationships.
However, the aspects of magic realism really confused me because I wasn’t entirely sure of its purpose. For me, it wasn’t clear at which points the magic realism was used and I felt that it muddled the narrative at times.
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this book. It’s a good book but I’m just not a fan of magic realism.
The Baghdad Clock is a compelling story about two girls who grow up in the midst of the Gulf War. They rely on one another as well as their close-knit neighbourhood through such turbulent times. As they grow older, their lives are changed and will never be the same again.
I really enjoyed the narration of the story - it was easy to read without minimising the devastation and chaos caused by the war. I especially valued the narration being told from a child’s perspective because it is written in such a way that the war doesn’t take centre stage but rather, is just another event that they have to ensure. Instead the focus is that of lasting friendships and budding relationships.
However, the aspects of magic realism really confused me because I wasn’t entirely sure of its purpose. For me, it wasn’t clear at which points the magic realism was used and I felt that it muddled the narrative at times.