misspalah's reviews
1070 reviews

The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf

emotional inspiring tense fast-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

(Re-read in 2024)
“Jasmine flowers are so pale, so delicate. You think they couldn't survive in this relentless tropical heat. But they thrive on it. They go strong and gorgeous, and they bloom. Their perfume is . . . intoxicating, so strong that it leaves its mark on you long after you've left behind.”
― The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf
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I re-read? this as Hanna Alkaf originally write it in english. FYI, I have read the translated version of this book before. So i am not going to review it as i already did previously. I still love the book nonetheless.
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These quotes from the book is just chef kiss 🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽
- [ ] “It means where we plant our feet is where we must hold up the sky. We live and die by the rules of the land we live in. But this country belongs to all of us! We make our own sky, and we can hold it up—together.”
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- [ ] “I’ve come to accept that the Djinn and I are always going to be locked in a battle for control of my brain and my body, that he will never truly go away and leave me in peace. But I also know now that I’m capable of fighting these skirmishes with him each day, and that more days than not, I’m capable of winning them.”
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- [ ] “The thing about a song is that, if you break it down, it's all chaos. Like there's all these different notes, different instruments, different sounds. It's a mess. But you add a beat and a rhythm and somehow everyting can come together and make something beautiful. I think that's what I'm trying to do. Find a rhythm for the mess in my head, so that it somehow...makes sense" -Melati”
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- [ ] “But when you are fighting for your rice bowl, you don't think about how many hands were needed to grow the grain. You only think about who's out to steal your portion. Do you see?”

Homeland Elegies by Ayad Akhtar

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

Yes, the Pakistani homeland he'd hated for the entirety of his American life—or so he'd led us all to believe-was now his homeland again. And it didn't seem to bother him one bit. He'd been in Pakistan just about a year when I finally confessed I was almost finished with a book in which I wrote it out-what had happened to him and her and to me in our American jour-neys. I was surprised how lackadaisically he took the news. There was no entreaty to deal with him justly, no admonition to strike a fair balance about my American homeland. Instead, he had this to add about his own experience and suggested I might not want to leave it out: That when he thought of the place now, America, he found it hard to believe he'd spent so much of his life there. As much as he'd always wanted to think of himself as American, the truth was he'd only ever aspired to the condition. Looking back, he said, he realized he'd been playing a role so much of that time, a role he'd taken for real. There was no harm in it; he'd just gotten tired of playing the part. "I had a good life there, so many good years. I'm grateful to America. It gave me you! But I'm glad to be back in Pakistan, beta. I'm glad to be home.
- Homeland Elegies by Ayad Akhtar
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This book can be a hit or miss, depending on who’s reading it. For me, I really liked it—at least until I found out that parts of it were made up, which felt strange since it’s supposed to be a memoir. I enjoyed reading about Ayad Akhtar’s father more than Ayad himself. Even though I didn’t agree with everything his father did, I understood why he wanted so badly to feel like he belonged in America. His deep desire to fit in, even with all the struggles and compromises, was both sad and relatable. It really shows what it’s like to be an immigrant in America. I think the book’s title connects both to his father’s story and to Ayad’s own feelings about the USA, the country where he was born. I read this book when I was feeling pretty open-minded, so while it’s easy to see Ayad as someone who just wanted to fit into rich and powerful circles, I saw it as part of his growth. His story is a lot like what many of us go through: starting off with big dreams (he really admired America because of his father), then getting disappointed (he faced racism and unfair treatment because he’s not white), and finally seeing things in a more balanced way (realizing the USA isn’t perfect but can improve). I can see why some Muslims might not like this book. Ayad is open about how he doesn’t practice Islam much anymore—he drinks alcohol and has casual relationships—which might make his talks about Islam feel off to some people. But he often uses his own experiences to explore what it’s like to be both Muslim and American, looking at stereotypes and misunderstandings. Even if you don’t agree with him, I think it’s important to respect that his experience is his own. Overall, I found this book refreshing and thought-provoking. It’s controversial and might make you mad at times, but it does a great job of showing how complicated it is to be an immigrant in America, especially as a person of color.

Flights by Olga Tokarczuk

challenging slow-paced

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

3.0

Why am I in pain? Is it because— as that lens grinder says, and perhaps only in this does he not err—in essence the body and soul are part of something larger and something shared, states of the same substance, like water that can be both liquid and solid? How can what does not exist cause me pain? Why do I feel this lack, sense this absence? Are we perhaps condemned to wholeness, and every fragmentation, every quartering, will only be a pretense, will happen on the surface, underneath which, however, the plan remains intact, unalterable? Does even the smallest fragment still belong to the whole? If the world, like a great glass orb, falls and shatters into a million pieces-doesn't something great, powerful, and infinite remain a whole in this? Is my pain God? I've spent my life traveling, into my own body, into my own amputated limb. I've prepared the most accurate maps. I have dismantled the thing under investigation per the best methodology, breaking it down into prime factors. I've counted the muscles, ten-dons, nerves, and blood vessels. I've used my own eyes for this, but relied, too, on the cleverer vision of the microscope. I believe I have not missed even the smallest part.
- Flights by Olga Tokarczuk
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I find it puzzling that this book is not marketed as a collection of short stories. Reading it felt almost absurd due to the multitude of random topics, yet it was presented as a novel. It does not adhere to a traditional narrative format; rather, it resembles a mosaic of interconnected ideas, tales, and philosophical reflections. While I don't mind novels lacking a clear storyline, I take issue with it being categorized incorrectly, which can mislead readers from the beginning. The book thrives on a broad spectrum of themes—there's a sense that no topic is off-limits for the author. While that might sound like an exaggeration, consider that it shifts from discussing vulvas to swastikas, which illustrates my point. Given that this book has won the Man Booker International Prize, I anticipated an emotionally engaging story or a clear plot to follow. Instead, I was completely bewildered by its fragmented nature, leaving me feeling disappointed upon finishing it. This book is exceptionally unconventional, actively resisting the notion of cohesive storytelling. While it might be thrilling for some readers, I found it utterly frustrating and a real challenge to get through. Read at your own discretion!

Growing up with Ghosts by Bernice Chauly

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.0

 I am Punjabi, a sardarni of the Khalsa. Of the pure, from the tenets sprung from the loins of Guru Nanak. From the plains of the Punjab, and the wheat fields of Amritsar. I am Chinese, from the port city of Canton, from Fatshan, from Lam Soy Chea, from the village of fishermen and of joss stick makers. I had two childhoods. A childhood with my father and a childhood with my mother. This is a love story, of how my parents found each other. This is a life story, of how I found them and how I found myself. I grew up with ghosts. I grew up with the dead, and the voices that resonate. I grew up with myth. I grew up with grief, and its untold stories. In Ipoh, in the heart of the Kinta Valley, in the light of pre-war shophouses, cloth merchants and food. Of pigs, of slaughter, of tears. I grew up in Penang, in my grandfather Bapuji's house. Of snakes, and the Granth Sahib. Of my grandfather's typewriter and his white turban. I speak from five voices and I speak from my own. These are our stories.
- Growing up with Ghosts by Bernice Chauly
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The book is split into six parts: The first part talks about the author's grandfather's and grandmother's backgrounds and where they came from. The second and third parts tell the story of the author's parents – their childhoods, how they met, and fell in love. Even though both families were against their relationship and the author’s mother was hesitant at first, they got married. They settled in Kelantan, where the author and her siblings were born. In the fourth part, the author shares how her father’s death changed her sense of identity. She felt disconnected from her Indian heritage and was raised to identify only as Chinese. In the fifth part, the author decides to learn more about her roots, especially her father's family. She collects everything she can find, like letters, conversations with relatives, and recipes from her grandparents. The final part describes the author's trip back to Punjab, India, where she seeks to lift a curse affecting her father's family. She visits relatives and tries to understand her grandfather’s land and her identity. I think I summarized the book well but noticed some issues. While I appreciate the letters and journals included, I believe they would work better as an appendix rather than being part of the main content. Reading from the author's point of view could have provided deeper insights. However, the book still succeeds because it includes bits of history, genealogy research, and old photos that add authenticity. Although the book might seem long to some, it covers four generations, three countries, and two races, so the length makes sense. Overall, it’s a great memoir, with just a few minor issues I mentioned earlier. I definitely recommend it! 

Capitalism: A Ghost Story by Arundhati Roy

challenging informative reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

“They (the 1%) say that we don’t have demands . . . they don’t know, perhaps, that our anger alone would be enough to destroy them. But here are some things—a few “pre-revolutionary” thoughts I had—for us to think about together. We want to put a lid on this system that manufactures inequality. We want to put a cap on the unfettered accumulation of wealth and property by individuals as well as corporations. As cap-ists and lid-ites, we demand: One: An end to cross-ownership in businesses. For example: weapons manufacturers cannot own TV stations, mining corporations cannot run newspapers, business houses cannot fund universities, drug companies cannot control public health funds. Two: Natural resources and essential infrastructure—water supply, electricity, health, and education—cannot be privatized. Three: Everybody must have the right to shelter, education, and health care. Four: The children of the rich cannot inherit their parents’ wealth. “This struggle has reawakened our imagination. Somewhere along the way, Capitalism reduced the idea of justice to mean just “human rights,” and the idea of dreaming of equality became blasphemous. We are not fighting to tinker with reforming a system that needs to be replaced. As a cap-ist and a lid-ite, I salute your struggle. Salaam and Zindabad.”

- Capitalism : A ghost story by Arundhati Roy

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Arundhati Roy doesn’t hold back in her book, offering sharp and clear arguments supported by strong evidence. While some readers might wish the book were longer, it still delivers a powerful critique of how nationalism, corporate power, and government policies in India work together in ways that harm ordinary people. One of the book’s main ideas is how the Indian government uses the idea of nationalism to justify actions like taking land, extracting resources, and militarizing areas—all to support corporate and capitalist interests. Roy explores how the Indian state, once envisioned as a protector of citizens, has become a facilitator of corporate interests. She highlights the transition from public welfare to privatization, which is central to her critique of "development" projects like the Narmada Valley Development Project that displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Roy points out that many of India's development projects, such as dams, mines, and factories, have involved the large-scale displacement of indigenous (Adivasi) communities, prioritizing economic growth over the well-being and rights of marginalized groups. Roy also explains how Hindu nationalism has deepened divisions in Indian society, distracting people from bigger issues like poverty, corruption, and displacement. She argues that when people are focused on religious or nationalist pride, it becomes easier for corporations and the government to exploit workers, farmers, and indigenous groups. The book provides an overview of how corporate entities, such as Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries, have undermined democracy and perpetuated inequality. Roy highlights how India's liberalization in the 1990s led to rapid economic growth, but also concentrated wealth and resources in the hands of a few powerful corporations. Roy also discussed about the role of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and foundations like the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations in maintaining this system. She claims they often take funding from corporations or governments, which compromises their goals. Instead of driving real change, NGOs sometimes act as a way to calm protests and prevent grassroots movements from gaining strength. Roy calls this idea of “ benevolent capitalism” a clever trick to keep power in the hands of the few while controlling the masses. Overall, Arundhati Roy's book provides a powerful and insightful critique of the complex web of nationalism, corporate power, and the Indian government's development agenda. It highlights how these forces have exploited and oppressed marginalized communities, undermining democracy and perpetuating inequality. The book is an eye-opener about the dangers of unchecked capitalism. While it’s easy to feel powerless in such a system, Roy offers a small but inspiring hope that change is possible, even if it happens slowly, one step at a time.

Prisoner: My 544 Days in an Iranian Prison--Solitary Confinement, a Sham Trial, High-Stakes Diplomacy, and the Extraordinary Eff by Jason Rezaian

challenging emotional tense slow-paced

2.0

 

They took me through a side door to a ceremonial entryway. Kazem, siamak, and a few others were there. I looked at all of them one last time. I stared at Kazem for a long time, until we both smiled. Then I did a crazy thing. I hugged him. Yes, it's even possible to develop an attachment to your tormentors, and no, asshole, that's not Stockholm syndrome. It's called being human. I felt the layers of anger and resentment fading just a little. As my ordeal took on a life of its own, born out of the narrative of convoluted half-truths and conjured fairy tales that became the story of my imprisonment, I had to remind myself so many times of a very important fact: no matter how much this whole thing was directed at me, it really wasn't personal. I knew that the door was closing on my ever physically being in Iran again. At least as long as these guys ran the place. My wife and I had conducted our lives professionally and socially in a way that was completely transparent. We thought that we could keep the door open. That we could come and go. I'd always wanted to show people that it was possible to live between these two countries. But it's not. 

- Prisoner : My 544 days in an Iranian Prison by Jason Rezaian 

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The book tells the story of Jason Rezaian’s imprisonment in Iran, which I hadn’t heard about because I wasn’t keeping up with world news at the time. His story is somewhat engaging and informative, and it’s clear the events were deeply traumatic for Rezaian. However, I found it hard to connect with him as a person. It’s tricky to review a book like this, especially because Rezaian often comes across as culturally insensitive, petty, and even racist. He also shows signs of misogyny and has a sarcastic and condescending tone. I think there’s some instance when he talked about his female lawyer’s moustache which is not relevant at all. Its hard to believe that this was a writing of a journalist for The Washington Post. I would have expected his writing to carry a professional tone, but it fell short. While the book wasn’t exceptional in terms of writing, it was still okay-ish and somewhat engaging, offering insight into a complex issue particularly in unlawful detention of foreign citizens specifically when it involved 2 countries that are trying to gain upper hand on each other. I sympathized with Rezaian and his family, but his storytelling didn’t fully draw me in or make me feel the emotional depth I expected. His bitterness toward Iran is understandable, but some of his comments felt elitist and overly critical, reflecting a sense of American superiority. While you can sympathize with the injustice he faced, it’s frustrating when his behaviour showed how he frequently mocks people’s accents, clothes, and looks, which gives the impression he feels superior. He kept on boasting about "American" things like McDonald’s, private jets, and citizenship. That being said, this book could have been much better with the help of a skilled editor (thats what I think). It’s written in the first person, but as the story goes on, the author’s personality becomes more and more unpleasant. For example, when he describes leaving Iran, he calls the city he sees "ugly," even though it’s the same place that made him famous and where he once enjoyed living like royalty. Some parts of the book are overly wordy, and I think it was marketed in the wrong way. I went into it expecting a focused account of his time in prison, but it turned out to be a full memoir. Rezaian explains his experience with the support of his family and friends. Even though he wasn’t physically tortured, his unjust 18-month imprisonment was still a form of suffering. It gives a detailed look at what it’s like to be a hostage, which is hard to imagine without reading something like this.  Overall, this memoir wasn’t for me—despite usually enjoying books in this genre. It’s a particularly slow read, the kind that makes you repeatedly think to yourself, When is this book going to end? 

Kinder Than Solitude by Yiyun Li

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

2.0

 Celia sighed. "Why else do you not want to have a real life?" Perhaps Celia's version was better: a story of loyalty and betrayal, of scheming and innocence. For a moment, Ruyu could see herself in Celia's-and Edwin's-eyes: a life lived under the spell of a first encounter, if not a first love; years spent, or misspent, waiting for another woman to die. The romance and the tragedy would be perfect footnotes for her insubstantial life; without such drama and mystery, she would have been too commonplace. Yet how could she explain that being on her own-and not someone's property — was the only thing she had wanted? Once upon a time, she had been her parents" possession, however momentarily, and after that she had belonged to her grandaunts, in whose minds she had belonged more to their god than to them; all sorts of people had since tried to claim her, but to stay unclaimed was to be never disowned again.
- Kinder than Solitude by Yiyun Li
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The central theme of this book revolves around the shared trauma experienced by three friends: Moran, Boyang, and Ruyu. They are united by the collective grief of losing their close friend Shaoai to a poisoning incident. This event serves as a scar that connects the characters while simultaneously creating a barrier between them. Each individual copes with the tragedy in their own way, yet none can fully evade its impact. The narrative unfolds slowly and is not a romance; instead, it delves into how they process their grief and guilt over their friend's death. This is not a novel driven by plot, and if you are new to Yiyun Li’s work, consider you has been warned. The book focuses extensively on the deep emotional, psychological, and relational repercussions of trauma, secrets, and guilt. Each character is profoundly affected by Shaoai's poisoning, which ultimately resulted in her death. Boyang feels significant remorse, even though he wasn't directly to blame, carrying the weight of guilt and moral complicity. Moran, who was particularly close to Shaoai, grapples with ongoing guilt for not preventing the tragedy, and her involvement in the aftermath leaves her emotionally scarred and uncertain about her role in what happened. Ruyu, on the other hand, appears emotionally detached and does not express her feelings or remorse regarding Shaoai’s fate. Her adult relationships lack warmth and vulnerability. Upon finishing the book, I had two main thoughts: first, Yiyun Li’s writing is incredibly evocative, and her ability to capture emotional subtleties is likely to resonate with readers who appreciate lyrical and contemplative prose. Secondly, the book thrives on its slow pacing and ambiguity; if that doesn't appeal to you, this may not be the right choice. 

Beauty Is a Wound by Eka Kurniawan

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

2.0

 “The world is changing,” said Comrade Salim. “For hundreds of years, more than half of the face of this earth has been controlled by European countries and turned into colonies, and the Europeans have sucked up whatever they could find, brought it all home, and made themselves rich. But not Germany and Japan; they didn’t get anything. But now they have just as much power as any other developed country, and so they are demanding their share. That is the origin of this war, a war between greedy nations.” (Comrade Salim asked if there were any cigarettes, and Kliwon went to fetch his tobacco from his room.) “The natives are the most pathetic people, as wretched as can be. After so many years of living under rajas and being lied to by kings, all of a sudden the Europeans came, and they didn’t even understand the excessive and crazy sense of respect that was still alive in the land of Java”“ Farmers, after they have been forced into labor and forced to hand over most of their harvest to the colonial government, still bow in the street whenever a young Dutch girl is passing by. Communism was born from a beautiful dream, the likes of which there will never be again on the face of this earth: that there would no longer be lazy men who eat their fill while others work hard and starve.” Kliwon asked whether revolution was the way to achieve that beautiful dream. “It’s true,” replied Comrade Salim, “that oppressed people only have one tool of resistance: run amok. And if I have to tell you, revolution is nothing more than a collective running amok, organized by one particular party.”
- Beauty Is a Wound by Eka Kurniawan
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• 1 star : 1 star for the excessive number of rape scenes that feel completely unnecessary to the plot.
• 2 Stars: 2 stars for a disappointing ending—especially after getting so invested in the plot, only for it to turn out like that.
• 3 Stars : I’m giving this score primarily because it’s far too vulgar and violent for my taste. I tried to understand the intention behind presenting the story this way—whether it served the narrative—but most of the time, it felt unnecessary and didn’t quite fit.
• 4 stars : Over the course of roughly 100 years, the author intricately weaves together the narrative of Dewi Ayu, connecting her to her parents, grandparents, and her dark past, as well as to her daughters and sons-in-law—Alamanda, Adinda, Maya Dewi, Shodancho, Kliwon, and Maman Gendeng. The story then extends to the next generation, exploring how their lives intertwine with Nurul Aini, Rengganis the Beautiful, and Kirisan, Dewi Ayu's grandchildren. What stands out is how every single character is meticulously crafted to serve the story's purpose—a feat that few authors can achieve so masterfully.
• 5 Stars : This book written specifically to the Indonesian readers. To fully grasp the essence of the novel, one must appreciate the complexities of Indonesian history, spanning the colonial era, the Japanese occupation, and the independence period. Without a solid understanding of this context, much of the story of Dewi Ayu and her four daughters may be difficult to comprehend. Furthermore, Eka Kurniawan showcases his storytelling mastery by weaving elements of Indonesian folklore and magic into the narrative, seamlessly integrating ghosts, spirits, and local legends throughout the story.
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Side Note : So i am stuck in giving a solid rating for this book - because i fucking hate how there’s so many RAP* and violence againts women is being depicted in the book. So i let those who read my review to choose it. This is my third book that i read from Eka Kurniawan but it still did not prepare me for the amount of indignation that i have seen suffered by the women characters in the book. Suffice to say, this will be my last book of him because i have had enough 

Superior: The Return of Race Science by Angela Saini

challenging informative reflective tense slow-paced

5.0

 “Race science had always sat at the intersection of science and politics, of science and economics. Race wasn’t just a tool for classifying physical difference but was also a way of measuring human progress, of placing judgement on the capacities and rights of others.”
― Superior: The Return of Race Science by Angela Saini
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While I have a personal preference for ‘Inferior’, I find that ‘Superior’ is a superior book in terms of writing quality. Although it features a significant amount of name-dropping—which I believe is relevant—it often led me to pause my reading to look up these names. Nevertheless, the book skillfully engages in a profound discussion about the intersection of racial prejudice and the scientific discourse itself. To me, the book exemplifies what excellent science writing and journalism should aspire to achieve. It sheds light on numerous scientists whose work veers into misuse of evidence, often implying conclusions that the data doesn’t support. While unsurprising given that many of these scientists are white, it's still disappointing to realize that even scientists sometimes reinforce unfounded racial biases. The persistence of “race science” within the field is disturbing, indicating it hasn’t disappeared and, worryingly, may remain for a while yet. Furthermore, the book reveals critical insights about scientists who manipulate evidence to support claims that the data does not genuinely substantiate. It is disheartening yet unsurprising that many of these scientists are white. But being a scientist, one might assume their integrity would prevent such misrepresentation—this assumption is incorrect. The persistence of race science within the field is alarming, and it appears unlikely to diminish anytime soon. One of the book’s most crucial lessons is to approach any research on racial or population differences with a critical lens, as these studies are frequently flawed or biased. The author does an excellent job emphasizing that “race” is not a biological construct but rather a social, cultural, and political one. The scientific community’s insistence on examining race biologically has caused significant harm throughout history. The author also delves into the historical roots and social construction of race, illustrating how colonialism and slavery shaped its development. The consequences of this historical context are enduring, with contemporary views on race still influenced by colonial and slave legacies, often unconsciously. The past and present are inextricably linked. On a personal level, this book has deepened my understanding of how profoundly racism has influenced biology, while also showing me that there’s more to learn and unpack in this area. Superior is undoubtedly a book worth rereading, and it deserves to be part of the required reading list in high school or college. I highly recommend it to others. 

The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

3.5

• Family is not just about blood. It's about the people who love you unconditionally. 

• Life is too short to live with regrets. Seize the moment and take chances. 

• Silent battles are fought by many, but support and love can help conquer them. 

- The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal

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The book immediately draws us into the story, showing how Sita, on her deathbed, has asked her three daughters—Rajni, Jezmeen, and Shirina—to embark on a pilgrimage to India together to scatter her ashes and honour her memory. From there, the narrative shifts to each sister's point of view, which I appreciated because they are well-rounded characters with distinct struggles. The author does a great job illustrating the complexities of family dynamics. We see that the sisters, though leading busy lives, are not especially close and even lived apart in a different country, but they agree to fulfil their mother's final wish. However, once they reached India, their different priorities and interests start to cause friction, leading to debates on how strictly they should follow their mother’s wishes. Throughout the book we can see that tensions among sisters kept on accumulating, conflicts arise, and long-held secrets come to the surface amidst the arguments. While I enjoyed the book overall, it didn't completely resonate with me. The constant bickering going back and forth among the sisters became somewhat tiresome, though I understand it was necessary for the the book to progress. I also have to say, as fellow traveller, this group would be a traveller’s nightmare. They struggle to manage their expectations, despite claiming not to have any, resist adapting to challenges, and seem unable to detach from the things that bother them. However, I can see that the author intention is to highlight the sisters’ contrasting personalities. At times, I found myself especially frustrated by Shirina’s interactions with her mother-in-law; it felt as though much of the mistreatment went unaddressed. Sehaj was such a Mama’s boy and his mother were typical dotted mother who can’t relinquish control of her own son. While the story seemed to suggest a message about standing up against such behaviour, it took so long for that confrontation to happen that it felt neglected. And when it did occur, the resolution felt rushed and unrealistic. Additionally, I believe the depiction of India might raise some concerns as it felt somewhat reductive. Overall, while I appreciated certain aspects, I found the book exhausting by the end. Perhaps I wasn’t in the right mindset when reading it.