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gxcons's reviews
268 reviews
Your Emergency Contact Has Experienced an Emergency by Chen Chen
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
5.0
In the Time of our History by Susanne Pari
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
In the Time of Our History takes place in the 1990s and follows an extended Iranian-American family after the one-year mark of a terrible tragedy. The center of the story is eldest daughter and independent spirit (or highly Westernized) Mitra.
Themes the book explores: grief, Iranian culture, immigrant generational divide, other divides in immigrant communities (those who leave and those who stay), patriarchy and its long-armed effects.
What worked for me:
-While the book always comes back to Mitra, the POV does move along in a pass-the-baton style to other members of the family and those in their circles. It was done in such a way that wasn't difficult to track.
-A large cast of characters that I became quickly attached to. Motivated me to read large chunks at a time to find out what would happen to them!
-The author is great at describing and adding character to a place, namely 90s San Francisco and suburban New Jersey, as well as Iran in various flashbacks.
-Flashbacks were done in a way that didn't interrupt or confuse flow of narrative.
-Authentic peek into Iranian culture through the lens of those born in the country and those who inherit it in America through generations, from language to dinner parties to radio.
-Portrayals of grief were varied and honored the fact that there is no going back to the way your life was "before."
What didn't hit:
-While there is an important arc for Mitra's father to undergo, the rampant sexism and general meanness in his POV felt out of place compared to everyone else's.
-There is a character and storyline added in the last ~25% of the book that doesn't mesh with the larger story of Mitra and her family. It seemed an addition to show Mitra and her generation's confronting the politics of Iran, which doesn't feel earned.
-The romantic relationship between Mitra and Julian felt more tell than show. While I can understand why these two characters may have fallen together in the aftermath of her sister's accident, there wasn't palpable chemistry or good reason for me to root for them, romantic or otherwise.
-One element that no main character interrogates is class privilege. The mention of servants was jarring and never really stopped being so. With Mitra viewing herself as a modern woman, it would have been nice to have her confront a part of Iranian culture that she accepts because she benefits from it.
You may find yourself hesitant to commit if you're familiar with the genre, as I was and had flashbacks to I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. Stay for the portrayal of Iranian culture, loveable group of characters, and gripping story. I'm thankful for the ARC from Kensington Books via Goodreads, otherwise I may not have picked it up!
Themes the book explores: grief, Iranian culture, immigrant generational divide, other divides in immigrant communities (those who leave and those who stay), patriarchy and its long-armed effects.
What worked for me:
-While the book always comes back to Mitra, the POV does move along in a pass-the-baton style to other members of the family and those in their circles. It was done in such a way that wasn't difficult to track.
-A large cast of characters that I became quickly attached to. Motivated me to read large chunks at a time to find out what would happen to them!
-The author is great at describing and adding character to a place, namely 90s San Francisco and suburban New Jersey, as well as Iran in various flashbacks.
-Flashbacks were done in a way that didn't interrupt or confuse flow of narrative.
-Authentic peek into Iranian culture through the lens of those born in the country and those who inherit it in America through generations, from language to dinner parties to radio.
-Portrayals of grief were varied and honored the fact that there is no going back to the way your life was "before."
What didn't hit:
-While there is an important arc for Mitra's father to undergo, the rampant sexism and general meanness in his POV felt out of place compared to everyone else's.
-There is a character and storyline added in the last ~25% of the book that doesn't mesh with the larger story of Mitra and her family. It seemed an addition to show Mitra and her generation's confronting the politics of Iran, which doesn't feel earned.
-The romantic relationship between Mitra and Julian felt more tell than show. While I can understand why these two characters may have fallen together in the aftermath of her sister's accident, there wasn't palpable chemistry or good reason for me to root for them, romantic or otherwise.
-One element that no main character interrogates is class privilege. The mention of servants was jarring and never really stopped being so. With Mitra viewing herself as a modern woman, it would have been nice to have her confront a part of Iranian culture that she accepts because she benefits from it.
You may find yourself hesitant to commit if you're familiar with the genre, as I was and had flashbacks to I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. Stay for the portrayal of Iranian culture, loveable group of characters, and gripping story. I'm thankful for the ARC from Kensington Books via Goodreads, otherwise I may not have picked it up!
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0