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margo415's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mandygollaher's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is the second time that I've listened to Home Fire on audiobook (the first time was about five or six years ago on my way to school for my freshman year of college) and while I initially picked it up because it had won The Women's prize for Fiction, this time it seemed like the perfect continuation to my ~reading Greek mythological retellings to recapture the magic of being in Greece~ extended, multi-month read-a-thon. Unlike the other retellings that I've made my way through these last few months, Home Fire isn't just a Greek myth re-written with modern language and a female character's point of view, this is a story that is completely re-written with a contemporary setting which made it a good break from the scenic island vistas and indulgent descriptions of tanned muscles and freshly pressed olives of the other books. In place of the kings, queens and heroes of Greece we follow a British family in early 2010s London who have fallen victim to a truly devastating cycle of violence.
It's interesting because upon re-read this book simultaneously feels modern and a bit like a relic of its time. This is not to say that the threat of extremism and the global Islamaphobia it often ignites have vanished from our cultural and political discourse (they most definitely have not) but it's far less common to see blatant references to extremist groups and the threat of extremist violence in the media like it was back in 2014/2015. Each character's unique blend of interactions with the media, relationships to certain family members, and their religion are so seeped in these reactionary cycles of cruelty that the book makes you question everyone and everything. This is a book about people trying to do what they think is right, even if the end result is horrifically wrong. It's a terrifying, horrific tragedy on so many levels and I think that whether you have knowledge of the source material or not, you'll find this an exciting and devastating read. Kamila Shamsie's character work is incredible and there wasn't a single perspective throughout the whole book that I didn't feel invested in.
Whether you're looking for a tale of political corruption and cultural erasure, a tender love story, a perfect example of the inevitable weight of being the oldest sibling in a house without parents, a descent into extremism, or some of the most visceral depictions of grief that I've ever seen on the page, you can find that here in Home Fire.
I can't say much for fear of spoilers and because I don't think I can articulate anything nearly as well as other reviewers but this is a major recommendation from me and 100% worth the relatively short listen.
It's interesting because upon re-read this book simultaneously feels modern and a bit like a relic of its time. This is not to say that the threat of extremism and the global Islamaphobia it often ignites have vanished from our cultural and political discourse (they most definitely have not) but it's far less common to see blatant references to extremist groups and the threat of extremist violence in the media like it was back in 2014/2015. Each character's unique blend of interactions with the media, relationships to certain family members, and their religion are so seeped in these reactionary cycles of cruelty that the book makes you question everyone and everything. This is a book about people trying to do what they think is right, even if the end result is horrifically wrong. It's a terrifying, horrific tragedy on so many levels and I think that whether you have knowledge of the source material or not, you'll find this an exciting and devastating read. Kamila Shamsie's character work is incredible and there wasn't a single perspective throughout the whole book that I didn't feel invested in.
Whether you're looking for a tale of political corruption and cultural erasure, a tender love story, a perfect example of the inevitable weight of being the oldest sibling in a house without parents, a descent into extremism, or some of the most visceral depictions of grief that I've ever seen on the page, you can find that here in Home Fire.
I can't say much for fear of spoilers and because I don't think I can articulate anything nearly as well as other reviewers but this is a major recommendation from me and 100% worth the relatively short listen.
mikeiswhere's review
The writing is good, but I am not in a place to manage the content.
reydeam's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this story. It was good. But it wasn't mind blowing. The characters didn't grab me except for Isma the older sister. And when I did start to become involved in the characters' lives the book ended. It ended with a bang. It ended without resolution. It ended in a way that is real; life doesn't always offer up resolutions. I liked this story but it fell short of deeply exploring the complex issues at hand—racial profiling, family, misguided youth, mistakes made, forgiveness, government policies vs human needs, manipulation of the vulnerable. The story did make me pause and reflect on how easily it is for us to judge others' choices and trajectory in life without giving any thought as to how the person got there. There definitely is a time and need for hard stances. But when do those hard stances need to be softened? Tough decisions can lead to tough and heartbreaking outcomes. Where does love and compassion and the desire for understanding play a role?
Home Fire is certainly a book worthy of discussion but it fails to convince me that it is worthy of a book award; the characters and plot were not fleshed out enough for the depth I was expecting.
Side note: I did enjoy the narrator for the audiobook. She did a great job keeping me engaged in the story. Her voice added a depth that the printed word cannot give.
Home Fire is certainly a book worthy of discussion but it fails to convince me that it is worthy of a book award; the characters and plot were not fleshed out enough for the depth I was expecting.
Side note: I did enjoy the narrator for the audiobook. She did a great job keeping me engaged in the story. Her voice added a depth that the printed word cannot give.
manilabookgirl's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
pnewb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kjtheo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
maryvdb2024's review against another edition
5.0
Remarkable and timely book dealing with absentee fathers, con-men, jihadists, politics and religion clearly demonstrating how laws made out of fear of terrorism have unforeseen tragic consequences destroying families and individuals in the process. As Peter Carey said "Recommended reading for prime ministers and presidents everywhere". Beautifully written. I couldn't put it down.
zubiashakeel's review against another edition
challenging
tense
fast-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? Yes
2.0
Gripping. But that doesn't excuse the kind of characters it chose to portray and the kind of image it chose to perpetuate