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nerdicwalker 's review for:
Honor
by Elif Shafak
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Had this been my first book by Elif Shafak I would not have read further books Of the books so far I really found this one the least attractive to read.
The topic is of course a heavy one - through the lenses of many how immigrants and their children can fare in a new country a new culture an relationship stress. Around that topic and within the story of twin girls, mothers and sons is at the core.
The issue is I don't feel it It is all distant. Too many things left unsaid, too many things not included as a result I did not loose myself in the book, nor in the key people. The road Iskender travels is by far the most interesting. Certainly his letters are intimate and to me the best part of the book He is central to the book but somehow the characters around it do't push his story to the heartbreaking point it is.
As always the writing style is pure and attractive, it is harder than what I am used to with her. Less yearning and spellbinding. At the same time this book and story should be raw and it is not enough rawness in it.
In all fairness I really miss the true radicalisation part in there. The orator does not "feel" the way Iskender sees it. It feels as if the writer does not understand herself how and what
Too many open ends What happened to Tobiko and Yunnus.
The book lost me toward the end. What should have been a plot revelation and pivoting point petered out. It left only loose ends and questions and a lot of why. The book indicates that the main driver of the book, Esma, knows the answers but are hidden in the letters up in the chest up in the attic. It peters out in a way that leaves me unsatisfied.
I still give it 3.5 a the book did make me want to read further and more.
The topic is of course a heavy one - through the lenses of many how immigrants and their children can fare in a new country a new culture an relationship stress. Around that topic and within the story of twin girls, mothers and sons is at the core.
The issue is I don't feel it It is all distant. Too many things left unsaid, too many things not included as a result I did not loose myself in the book, nor in the key people. The road Iskender travels is by far the most interesting. Certainly his letters are intimate and to me the best part of the book He is central to the book but somehow the characters around it do't push his story to the heartbreaking point it is.
As always the writing style is pure and attractive, it is harder than what I am used to with her. Less yearning and spellbinding. At the same time this book and story should be raw and it is not enough rawness in it.
Too many open ends What happened to Tobiko and Yunnus.
The book lost me toward the end. What should have been a plot revelation and pivoting point petered out. It left only loose ends and questions and a lot of why. The book indicates that the main driver of the book, Esma, knows the answers but are hidden in the letters up in the chest up in the attic. It peters out in a way that leaves me unsatisfied.
I still give it 3.5 a the book did make me want to read further and more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Forced institutionalization
Minor: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Pandemic/Epidemic
Deals with femicide,