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A review by hannahmayreads
Bird Summons by Leila Aboulela
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book didn't work for me, and it was mostly to do with the characterisation. The plot had promise - a classic road trip novel, but the twist is the characters are three Muslim women. It just didn't come together how I'd hoped.
None of the women felt believable. Moni following a small boy around day after day? Creepy. Salma having an emotional affair with someone who is clearly awful? It seemed too irrational for her. And Iman - she's so off with the fairies she might as well be one of them. She didn't read as a 20-something-year-old woman but as a 10-year-old girl. She was wearing actual costumes and gadding about the place - what is this? The attempts at creating mysticism and magic fell flat and were frankly just odd most of the time.
This book took itself far too seriously for it to be a success.
None of the women felt believable. Moni following a small boy around day after day? Creepy. Salma having an emotional affair with someone who is clearly awful? It seemed too irrational for her. And Iman - she's so off with the fairies she might as well be one of them. She didn't read as a 20-something-year-old woman but as a 10-year-old girl. She was wearing actual costumes and gadding about the place - what is this? The attempts at creating mysticism and magic fell flat and were frankly just odd most of the time.
This book took itself far too seriously for it to be a success.