fawzul's reviews
138 reviews

dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

“There is a logic to organizing. Everything has its place, even the tiniest scrap fits in a closed ecosystem. There is no excess, the mosquito is as essential as the chimney, the tea bag will be reborn an eagle. Even the shekel is a native of this earth, mined from the depths of Chile or Utah. Sorting brought me comfort, order is relief.”

reminiscent of han kang’s the vegetarian, the novel takes us through a descent of gradual madness and decline in the heart of new york city. the coin explores an obsession of cleanliness and glamour, filth and wilderness, through a luxury bag heist to an eclectic classroom and an apartment submerged in dirt. what does it mean to have a body that is yours in a body that isn’t? i enjoyed this read more than i thought i would.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

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funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

a perfect read if you’re looking for something fun and light to read and have you kicking your feet (which is exactly what i was looking for).

wished it was drawn a bit more though, because once we got comfortable with the characters, things moved a little too fast.

but i really enjoyed the whimsy of it, of love being challenged through time and trial and a reminder that to love is a conscious act and it is something we do.

Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

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reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

i’m convinced sally rooney is one of the few writers who inspires equal rage and admiration with every release and intermezzo feels no different (i’m also def biased)

the story follows brothers peter and ivan who learn to walk through the world in the death of their father. the novel examines grief for all its complexities; to grieve as a son, a brother and as a child. as always, rooney's novels are also less seemingly about its characters on their own and what they mean to one another. a complicated relationship or two unravels in intermezzo as the brothers learn to understand love for what it is, grief for what it can be and what they have always meant to one another.

Death in Her Hands by Ottessa Moshfegh

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challenging reflective tense

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshananthan

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challenging reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

this was supposed to be a june read but i picked it up again two days ago and could not put it down again. beautiful and so so heartbreaking. i was not here to witness the civil war in all its brutality. reading brotherless night gave a glimpse into it.

Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad

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challenging reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

a gripping narration of what it means to be a woman, a sister and a palestinian, caught between exile and home. we see sonia grapple between the choices she’s made for herself and question her role as a performer and artist. i found myself reaching for enter ghost more than once. a definite fav.

Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk

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challenging reflective tense medium-paced