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aldarakamey's review
5.0
Firstly Thanks NetGalley, secondly can we talk about how beautiful this cover is, one of the reason why I requested this book.
The story goes about Nadia an elderly woman who lives in London who doesn't trust her mind, she wants to find her sister but everyone around her tries to dismiss her and tell her that she is being delusional but she starts to gets postal and those reignite some memories... and then the drama starts
Is a so damn good read. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. So recommended the characters, the story... THE END...
YES
5/5.
The story goes about Nadia an elderly woman who lives in London who doesn't trust her mind, she wants to find her sister but everyone around her tries to dismiss her and tell her that she is being delusional but she starts to gets postal and those reignite some memories... and then the drama starts
Is a so damn good read. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. So recommended the characters, the story... THE END...
YES
5/5.
always_need_more_books's review
3.0
I’d never read a book set in Egypt before and The Girls from Alexandria is a vibrant and evocative read. Told over dual timelines, we meet 70 year old Nadia who is in hospital after a seizure. The doctors are a little puzzled by what is actually wrong with her but she is certainly confused and alone so she heading towards a nursing home. She is increasingly desperate to track down her older sister Simone, whom she idealised as a child and who disappeared over 50 years ago after leaving Alexandria to travel to Europe. Apart from a collection of postcards Simone sent Nadia with cryptic messages, there are no other clues to her whereabouts.
We also hear of Nadia’s childhood and young adult life in Alexandria starting in the early 1950s when Nadia is around 6 years old. I found the descriptions of the food and culture fascinating as well as the various political upheavals in Egypt which went on over her life. Nadia marries a doctor and ends up living in London but is unable to have children herself. The timeline of isn’t always linear which I’m guessing is to demonstrate Nadia’s confusion in remembering her past but it seems to work. She looks for her sister on and off over the years but it is only when she is in hospital with her collection of postcards that clues seem to come together for her. A friendly nurse lends her an iPad and she is able to start browsing the internet for people from her past, in an attempt to find out what happened to Simone.
This is a great mixture of historical fiction layered with mystery. Nadia’s confusion adds an extra element to the book as we don’t know if her memories are true. I felt sorry for Nadia in hospital, especially as she doesn’t want to go into a home but she is a character who is tenacious and stubborn.
Although not a memoir, the author grew up in Alexandria and this is what brought the city of Alexandria alive to me. It was lovely to travel to a different time and place for a while and if you love historical fiction, this one is worth a try!
We also hear of Nadia’s childhood and young adult life in Alexandria starting in the early 1950s when Nadia is around 6 years old. I found the descriptions of the food and culture fascinating as well as the various political upheavals in Egypt which went on over her life. Nadia marries a doctor and ends up living in London but is unable to have children herself. The timeline of isn’t always linear which I’m guessing is to demonstrate Nadia’s confusion in remembering her past but it seems to work. She looks for her sister on and off over the years but it is only when she is in hospital with her collection of postcards that clues seem to come together for her. A friendly nurse lends her an iPad and she is able to start browsing the internet for people from her past, in an attempt to find out what happened to Simone.
This is a great mixture of historical fiction layered with mystery. Nadia’s confusion adds an extra element to the book as we don’t know if her memories are true. I felt sorry for Nadia in hospital, especially as she doesn’t want to go into a home but she is a character who is tenacious and stubborn.
Although not a memoir, the author grew up in Alexandria and this is what brought the city of Alexandria alive to me. It was lovely to travel to a different time and place for a while and if you love historical fiction, this one is worth a try!
thebooktrail88's review
Discover the locations in The Girls from Alexandria
A novel about a woman trying to find her sister in a foreign land.
The author herself grew up here and this is her heritage. However, she says this is not a memoir but every scene is steeped in memories that warm her as the summer sun once did. Even years later, she says she can still taste the smoky corn on the cob grilled over charcoal on the sea front.
steph1rothwell's review
5.0
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received. I always enjoy reading something out of my comfort zone and it’s a bonus when it concerns an area or a topic which I know nothing about. In this novel that area was Alexandria, I’m ashamed to say I had never even heard of it.
It’s a dual time frame novel where Nadia features in both. The modern day where Nadia is in hospital, aged 70 and being ignored by the medics who were going through the motions of providing care. The other part of the novel started in the 1950s and went through to modern day covering Nadia’s childhood and then her married life in Alexandria and London. And whilst I loved her wry approach to life and way of coping with being ignored in modern day I also enjoyed reading about a completely different way of life in Alexandria. There were parts that made me sad and wary but there were also parts that made me smile. I have never thought about how strange some of the British everyday phrases seem to those who aren’t used to them. I felt that Nadia, Fouad, and their many friends took a lot of pleasure in using them.
Like a few in the novel I wasn’t convinced by Simone’s existence at first. But as it progressed I wanted her to be real if for no other reason to make those who should have provided care to listen to Nadia. I hope that I have never have the misfortune to get doctors like the ones who feature here.
An absolutely wonderful novel that I read at a perfect time for me
It’s a dual time frame novel where Nadia features in both. The modern day where Nadia is in hospital, aged 70 and being ignored by the medics who were going through the motions of providing care. The other part of the novel started in the 1950s and went through to modern day covering Nadia’s childhood and then her married life in Alexandria and London. And whilst I loved her wry approach to life and way of coping with being ignored in modern day I also enjoyed reading about a completely different way of life in Alexandria. There were parts that made me sad and wary but there were also parts that made me smile. I have never thought about how strange some of the British everyday phrases seem to those who aren’t used to them. I felt that Nadia, Fouad, and their many friends took a lot of pleasure in using them.
Like a few in the novel I wasn’t convinced by Simone’s existence at first. But as it progressed I wanted her to be real if for no other reason to make those who should have provided care to listen to Nadia. I hope that I have never have the misfortune to get doctors like the ones who feature here.
An absolutely wonderful novel that I read at a perfect time for me
beccakateblogs's review
The Girls from Alexandria is a deep dive into a complex past and a determined present. With an intriguing premise; a novel with an older protagonist and a trail that spans two timelines, it certainly keeps you guessing.
The story is told in a now and then perspective. Following Nadia in the present, in hospital, and Nadia in the past as a young girl living with her sister Simone and family in Alexandria. We follow her story as she looks for her sister, the sister no one really believes she has.
The snippets of Nadia’s life in Alexandria paint an interesting picture, one surrounded by love and family. Her present day as a 70 year old woman is a far more lonely affair, but with memory issues plaguing her, it’s hard for her to get on the path to begin her search for her sister, especially from her hospital bed and relying on others.
It’s told in the first person which allows a lot of emotion to be conveyed from Nadia and we really go through her journey with her. As both a child and adult we grow up alongside her and feel her heartache as her sister disappears. The fact she is seventy in the present timeline is nice as I haven’t read that many books written, even in part, older protagonists. This is a refreshing change from the norm!
The inclusion of words from other languages, primarily French but also Arabic, is a great touch and makes the story feel more authentic. It also gives more of a glimpse into their way of life which I enjoyed. The location is stunning and in stark contrast to the London hospital. The vivid and colourful descriptions, especially of the beaches were a wonderful addition to the story. The history of Egypt is also interesting as I knew little about it, but the way it’s woven in through the story and the retelling of Nadia’s childhood is brilliant.
We really enter Nadia’s world and as the novel progresses, I found myself more and more eager to find out what was wrong with her and also where her sister was. The backstory of her and her family’s history that unravels is a real rollercoaster and contains some hard-hitting and emotional elements. Don’t let this put you off as I feel it adds to Nadia’s character and really gives the impression of how resilient and strong she is and has been throughout her seventy years.
The Girls from Alexandria is a novel with a fifty-year journey, a beautiful backdrop and a fascinating protagonist.
The story is told in a now and then perspective. Following Nadia in the present, in hospital, and Nadia in the past as a young girl living with her sister Simone and family in Alexandria. We follow her story as she looks for her sister, the sister no one really believes she has.
The snippets of Nadia’s life in Alexandria paint an interesting picture, one surrounded by love and family. Her present day as a 70 year old woman is a far more lonely affair, but with memory issues plaguing her, it’s hard for her to get on the path to begin her search for her sister, especially from her hospital bed and relying on others.
It’s told in the first person which allows a lot of emotion to be conveyed from Nadia and we really go through her journey with her. As both a child and adult we grow up alongside her and feel her heartache as her sister disappears. The fact she is seventy in the present timeline is nice as I haven’t read that many books written, even in part, older protagonists. This is a refreshing change from the norm!
The inclusion of words from other languages, primarily French but also Arabic, is a great touch and makes the story feel more authentic. It also gives more of a glimpse into their way of life which I enjoyed. The location is stunning and in stark contrast to the London hospital. The vivid and colourful descriptions, especially of the beaches were a wonderful addition to the story. The history of Egypt is also interesting as I knew little about it, but the way it’s woven in through the story and the retelling of Nadia’s childhood is brilliant.
We really enter Nadia’s world and as the novel progresses, I found myself more and more eager to find out what was wrong with her and also where her sister was. The backstory of her and her family’s history that unravels is a real rollercoaster and contains some hard-hitting and emotional elements. Don’t let this put you off as I feel it adds to Nadia’s character and really gives the impression of how resilient and strong she is and has been throughout her seventy years.
The Girls from Alexandria is a novel with a fifty-year journey, a beautiful backdrop and a fascinating protagonist.
annarella's review
5.0
A fascinating, complex and engrossing read that kept me hooked.
The author delivers a story with a dual time line, now and the 20th century Alexandria, an unreliable narrator who can't remember some parts of her life and a solid mystery.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
This is highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
The author delivers a story with a dual time line, now and the 20th century Alexandria, an unreliable narrator who can't remember some parts of her life and a solid mystery.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
This is highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
honestmamreader's review
3.0
The Girls Of Alexandria by @drcarolcooper @agorabooksldn
The Girls From Alexandria is a story about Nadia and her family. Nadia is currently in a hospital and decides that it's high time to search for her sister Simone who has been missing for 50 years. Where did she go? Is she still alive? Does she want to be found?
The story is a coming of age story, it's told in a past and present narrative. So we are slowly told what has happened to Simone. Now, Nadia is 70 years old and it's not quite clear how reliable of a narrator she is which makes the mystery more suspicious.
Set in across Egypt and England, the story is part historical fiction, part contemporary mystery and inspired by elements of Carol Cooper's personal history. It's easy to see that Cooper has fond memories of Alexandria as she writes such beautiful descriptions of the destinations.
The Girls of Alexandria is full of vibrant characters, I particularly loved Nadia's lack of technology experience. And the other patients on the ward with her. I love a story that is steeped in mystery. And Nadia was a complete enigma.
Perfect for fans of City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert and Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey. The Girls of Alexandria is a beautifully written story.
#thegirlsfromalexandria #girlsfromalex #drcarolcooper #agorabooks #booktour #bookreview #egypt #uk #contemporarymystery #bookbloggers #eastersaturday #saturdayvibes
The Girls From Alexandria is a story about Nadia and her family. Nadia is currently in a hospital and decides that it's high time to search for her sister Simone who has been missing for 50 years. Where did she go? Is she still alive? Does she want to be found?
The story is a coming of age story, it's told in a past and present narrative. So we are slowly told what has happened to Simone. Now, Nadia is 70 years old and it's not quite clear how reliable of a narrator she is which makes the mystery more suspicious.
Set in across Egypt and England, the story is part historical fiction, part contemporary mystery and inspired by elements of Carol Cooper's personal history. It's easy to see that Cooper has fond memories of Alexandria as she writes such beautiful descriptions of the destinations.
The Girls of Alexandria is full of vibrant characters, I particularly loved Nadia's lack of technology experience. And the other patients on the ward with her. I love a story that is steeped in mystery. And Nadia was a complete enigma.
Perfect for fans of City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert and Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey. The Girls of Alexandria is a beautifully written story.
#thegirlsfromalexandria #girlsfromalex #drcarolcooper #agorabooks #booktour #bookreview #egypt #uk #contemporarymystery #bookbloggers #eastersaturday #saturdayvibes
courtneyevason1910's review
4.0
The Girls from Alexandria follows Nadia who is currently stuck in a hospital bed in London, desperately trying to find her sister who was last seen 50 years ago in Egypt. I was in two minds about how to review this book - I loved the chapters that focused on the sisters early life in Egypt. However, I found the present day extracts where Nadia is within the hospital detached and repetitive. I feel like this could of been done purposefully, to try and highlight how lost and alone she is feeling but it did get repetitive after a while!
Although the timeline jumped all over the place, I still found the story easy to follow and enjoyed the break up of present day as I find this part of the story quite slow. I feel like this would be a perfect read for someone who enjoys historical fiction as there was a lot of in-depth knowledge about both Alexandria and Egypt!
There are elements of the book which were very moving and heartfelt. This gave the story a lot of depth and I enjoyed reading about Nadia recollecting her memories and making sense of them - I did quite like Nadia’s character so it was nice to see that there was truth within her jumbled up thoughts. I wasn’t convinced of her sisters existence at first but as the book unfolded, it was great to see Nadia prove the doctors and people who were meant to be caring for her wrong.
Thank you to Netgalley and Agora books for the chance to read this for an honest review! I really enjoyed the historical nature of the book and the book kept me intrigued as I was interested in how the story was going to go - for that reason, I give this book 4 out of five stars.
Although the timeline jumped all over the place, I still found the story easy to follow and enjoyed the break up of present day as I find this part of the story quite slow. I feel like this would be a perfect read for someone who enjoys historical fiction as there was a lot of in-depth knowledge about both Alexandria and Egypt!
There are elements of the book which were very moving and heartfelt. This gave the story a lot of depth and I enjoyed reading about Nadia recollecting her memories and making sense of them - I did quite like Nadia’s character so it was nice to see that there was truth within her jumbled up thoughts. I wasn’t convinced of her sisters existence at first but as the book unfolded, it was great to see Nadia prove the doctors and people who were meant to be caring for her wrong.
Thank you to Netgalley and Agora books for the chance to read this for an honest review! I really enjoyed the historical nature of the book and the book kept me intrigued as I was interested in how the story was going to go - for that reason, I give this book 4 out of five stars.
thebookendreviews's review
3.0
A dual timeline story where we travel with Nadia both in the present and in 1950s Egypt. Nadia is looking for her sister, Simone, who she hasn't seen for fifty years.
In the present day Nadia is in hospital, she's not entirely sure why but knows she has falls and her memory can fail her with words and situations. However she does have memories of Simone, some of which are crystal clear. But the nurses don't believe she has a sister, even with postcards signed "S".
I liked the moments where Nadia was lucid and recalled her memories and it was lovely to read another book with an older character.
Whilst not written to be full of action I did find some moments were slower than I would have liked. The descriptions of Egypt were fascinating to read and you could you really tell the author had once lived there.
If you love character driven stories then this book could be for you.
In the present day Nadia is in hospital, she's not entirely sure why but knows she has falls and her memory can fail her with words and situations. However she does have memories of Simone, some of which are crystal clear. But the nurses don't believe she has a sister, even with postcards signed "S".
I liked the moments where Nadia was lucid and recalled her memories and it was lovely to read another book with an older character.
Whilst not written to be full of action I did find some moments were slower than I would have liked. The descriptions of Egypt were fascinating to read and you could you really tell the author had once lived there.
If you love character driven stories then this book could be for you.
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