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sofia_reading's reviews
709 reviews
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
4.0
Purple Hibiscus came highly recommended, and quite rightly so. Kambili, the main character through whose eyes the story is narrated quietly settles into your heart. Her silent nature feels stifling but endearing at the same time, And being privy to her inner feelings and thoughts is a privilege. Her father Eugene left me feeling angry and impressed at the same time. The complex nature of human beings is so well reflected in his character in particular. A wealthy man fanatically dedicated to the church. I came away feeling he was a tragic hero; so very generous and kind, a true philanthropist among his people, and yet so capable of absolute cruelty towards his family.
The greatest charm of this book, which is a rather bleak story, is the way it doesn't end, it just seems to tail off. I imagine Jaja, Kambili's brother growing to be a man of position in his community like his father but without the cruel streak and having dropped the brand of Christianity his father observed. I imagine Kambili receiving a letter from Father Amadi to say he's coming back to Nigeria and leaving the priesthood and serve the church in other ways because he wants to marry Kambili (I know, soppy! But it's in my head so I shall imagine as I please!). I imagine aunty Ifeoma and her children becoming successful and educated and coming back to Nigeria to affect change. Lots of positive ways in which I can imagine the story moving forward, and that's the charm of a book like this.
The greatest charm of this book, which is a rather bleak story, is the way it doesn't end, it just seems to tail off. I imagine Jaja, Kambili's brother growing to be a man of position in his community like his father but without the cruel streak and having dropped the brand of Christianity his father observed. I imagine Kambili receiving a letter from Father Amadi to say he's coming back to Nigeria and leaving the priesthood and serve the church in other ways because he wants to marry Kambili (I know, soppy! But it's in my head so I shall imagine as I please!). I imagine aunty Ifeoma and her children becoming successful and educated and coming back to Nigeria to affect change. Lots of positive ways in which I can imagine the story moving forward, and that's the charm of a book like this.
The First Last Kiss by Ali Harris
4.0
I picked this book up from the library following rave reviews from everyone I know whose read it, and the great reviews it has on goodreads too, so had great expectations. Sadly I found it difficult to get into the story. It seemed to drag on and although the constant movement in time from present to various points in the past, made for an interesting, slow formulation of the current picture, it did become tedious. Molly is currently packing up her flat and it's clear things have ended between her and Ryan, who she met as a teenager and in typical teenager fashion, displayed her affections for him by putting him down, pouring scorn on his every efforts and being cynical about his overtures. As time goes on their paths cross and eventually they get together, and though this fails first time round, they manage to get back together, only for it to appear to have ended again. By this point I was ready to quit. At about page 250 I was ready to thron in the White towel. I could take no more of Essex and Molly. But I hate to leave a book unfinished so decided to start to just skim read. By this point I thought I'd figured the whole story out, Ryan has clearly betrayed Molly, what else could it be? WRONG! Page 355 came along and finally I got the *plot twist*. From there on in I could not skim a single word and cried like a baby!
Although I felt the story could have been shorter, it would have lost its effectiveness. It very much mirrors life; it goes on, slowly, with its ups and downs, with its fair share of both the mundane and the humorous, and then suddenly it can deal you a hand you never saw coming, after which everything flashes by in a single, emotionally charged moment.
Until I was about two thirds through the book, I'd have given it a one star rating, I found it hard to get into too, but once I was there, it took me on the kind of journey a good book should. Yes, I too, like so many else who have read this book will attest to, looked at my other half and all my loved ones, with renewed appreciation, and that's no small thing for a book to achieve.
On a side note I *loved* Molly's uptight mother by the end of it. I laughed out loud when she declares herself Ryan's MILF at the wedding!!!
Although I felt the story could have been shorter, it would have lost its effectiveness. It very much mirrors life; it goes on, slowly, with its ups and downs, with its fair share of both the mundane and the humorous, and then suddenly it can deal you a hand you never saw coming, after which everything flashes by in a single, emotionally charged moment.
Until I was about two thirds through the book, I'd have given it a one star rating, I found it hard to get into too, but once I was there, it took me on the kind of journey a good book should. Yes, I too, like so many else who have read this book will attest to, looked at my other half and all my loved ones, with renewed appreciation, and that's no small thing for a book to achieve.
On a side note I *loved* Molly's uptight mother by the end of it. I laughed out loud when she declares herself Ryan's MILF at the wedding!!!
The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak
5.0
I read Elif Shafak's books, Honour, and The Forty Rules of Love. Both books are very different but her writing style and and grace with which she handles and presents sometimes quite controversial and delicate topics is unequivocally present.
With these books in mind, I was eager to read the Bastard of Istanbul, not least because I'd read she had even been put on trial in Turkey for it (the accusation being she had "insulted Turkishness")! The book however didn't grab me the way her previous two did, but once the story had my attention she did not fail to deliver another thought provoking novel.
The story starts off in Istanbul with the birth of the Bastard child, Asya, and the family she is born into. Each character is colourful but not necessarily enthralling initially, though this too changes as the story unfolds. It's only when the Armenian/American family is introduced to the story that Elif Shafak's greatest skill, to provoke deeper questions and reflection really comes to the fore. She weaves a magnificent story with layers of histories and perceptions. This is what I think makes the book. The storyline itself has a twist towards the end. Friends who had read the book had told me there was an "unexpected turn" at the end, but to be honest I had my suspicions fairly early on.
If this is your first Elif Shafak book and you're not entirely impressed do still give her other two books I have mentioned a go. In my opinion, they are better indicators of the depth of her works.
With these books in mind, I was eager to read the Bastard of Istanbul, not least because I'd read she had even been put on trial in Turkey for it (the accusation being she had "insulted Turkishness")! The book however didn't grab me the way her previous two did, but once the story had my attention she did not fail to deliver another thought provoking novel.
The story starts off in Istanbul with the birth of the Bastard child, Asya, and the family she is born into. Each character is colourful but not necessarily enthralling initially, though this too changes as the story unfolds. It's only when the Armenian/American family is introduced to the story that Elif Shafak's greatest skill, to provoke deeper questions and reflection really comes to the fore. She weaves a magnificent story with layers of histories and perceptions. This is what I think makes the book. The storyline itself has a twist towards the end. Friends who had read the book had told me there was an "unexpected turn" at the end, but to be honest I had my suspicions fairly early on.
If this is your first Elif Shafak book and you're not entirely impressed do still give her other two books I have mentioned a go. In my opinion, they are better indicators of the depth of her works.
Oh Dear Silvia by Dawn French
1.0
I have an issue whereby I cannot leave a book u finished even if it's boring me. I put this book down at about the fourth chapter and haven't picked it up since. So glad I picked up a free copy!