Reviews

Under the Persimmon Tree by Suzanne Fisher Staples

krissew21's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book! This was one of my favorite forced reads from English class!

scgerrish's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective 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? No

3.75

kamckim's review against another edition

4.0

I'm becoming a fan of Suzanne Fisher Staples. I first came across SHABANU when it was being taught as a classroom text for Grade 6. I remember that it was an excellent book that took place in a world that time seemed to have left untouched. Not so with this novel. When I finished UNDER THE PERSIMMON TREE, I immediately went to Staples' author page to see exactly how she could have described in detail the modern setting of Afghan refugees in Peshawar, the difference between Taliban and mujahideen, and the experience of an American who converts to Islam. It turns out her resume is impressive. She was a journalist and has traveled extensively in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It's fortunate for her reader that she turned her hand toward writing fiction. UNDER THE PERSIMMON TREE makes the plight of Afghanistan and Pakistan understandable on a very personal basis in a realistic way that leaves the reader better informed about the dangers of extremist religion. Her characters are lovingly and compassionately drawn. The end of the book leaves the reader wondering about the choices the characters make. Will they survive? How will they move on?

lindseygrant's review against another edition

3.0

I thought the book was okay but some parts still got very exciting.

0petao's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-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

2.75

dandelionfluff's review against another edition

3.0

I have mixed feelings about this book. It gives a brutally honest view into the war in Afghanistan, showing how American bombs literally tore apart families and forced refugees to Pakistan. It describes how a blonde-haired, blue-eyed American woman can be a faithful Muslim happily accepted by her husband's family. At first, I was incredibly skeptical of her validity, but by the end, there's nothing to question. Western views of Islam are challenged, too. There's a lot of good here. There's even this wonderful moment where characters are saying "Come to America. You can have everything there, everything you ever need," and others say no, they belong in Afghanistan. America can't give them what they truly want.

But, the ending is so abrupt with no indication of any outcome be it positive or negative. Is there a sequel? It just… drops off. We know that everyone's decisions are very difficult, but come naturally. I just feel like there's something missing all around here.

tsilverman's review

4.0

A carefully woven story of an American woman and an Afghani girl living and/or surviving in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the years immediately following the 9/11 attacks. A very engaging story with a perspective I've never read before. I only wish that it didn't switch between first person for Najmah's parts and third person for Nusrat's parts.

gretchen3's review

3.0

A heart wrenching story, but one that leaves a glimmer of hope in the end. The language and style is simple, but it is still not an easy story to read. It is a stark reminder that war on terror that began post 9/11 wreaked even more havoc and destruction and did more to hurt civilians than throttle terrorism (and having just finished this after the news that the UK, US and France bombed Syria, it is even more distressing to think that this round of hate and wide ranging destruction continues). The closing of the book summed it up the best - "There are few happy endings in Afghanistan, but there are good ones."