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A review by mahtzahgay
Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Darkly humorous and intelligently witty. It took me a while to get through, and I'm still chewing on it as I write this.
This is a wonderfully written book, and one of my favourite magical realism books to date. Saadawi's characters jump off the page. They feel like real, fully-independent people who exist outside the story – as if they'll still be toiling away even once you've put the book away. I wouldn't say any of them are particularly 'loveable', except, perhaps, the old woman Elishva, whose occasional presence made me smile each time. However, I didn't find myself actively disliking any of the characters, or more importantly, wishing for their presence to quickly move on. Each moment spent within Saadawi's Baghdad was a privilege.
I do wish we spent more time with the creature given how that was the initial draw of the book. This was genuinely one of the most compelling modern interpretations of Frankenstein that I've read. The creature felt both human in motive and philosophy, and something completely alien altogether. Some of my favourite moments of the book are when we get to see those bits of insight into his relationships with some of the characters and himself.
Overall, a great read. 100% a recommended read.
This is a wonderfully written book, and one of my favourite magical realism books to date. Saadawi's characters jump off the page. They feel like real, fully-independent people who exist outside the story – as if they'll still be toiling away even once you've put the book away. I wouldn't say any of them are particularly 'loveable', except, perhaps, the old woman Elishva, whose occasional presence made me smile each time. However, I didn't find myself actively disliking any of the characters, or more importantly, wishing for their presence to quickly move on. Each moment spent within Saadawi's Baghdad was a privilege.
I do wish we spent more time with the creature given how that was the initial draw of the book. This was genuinely one of the most compelling modern interpretations of Frankenstein that I've read. The creature felt both human in motive and philosophy, and something completely alien altogether. Some of my favourite moments of the book are when we get to see those bits of insight into his relationships with some of the characters and himself.
Overall, a great read. 100% a recommended read.