Reviews

Self Storage by Gayle Brandeis

meganlynae's review against another edition

1.0

This book did not work. I began to wonder at 40% through if the author knew any Muslims. It felt like she tried, but did not know how to talk about other cultures except to assure us that they are good. While it is true and important that everyone belongs in the US, this book did not have believable multicultural characters.

jenawesomesbookshelf's review against another edition

2.0

This book was an quick read, but it meandered a little too much for me.

moonly9's review

5.0

I picked this up years ago at a used bookstore and finally cracked it open and read it. It was not quite what I was expecting, but I loved it. I loved the way it was written, flowing easily and effortlessly. About the meaningless of stuff in the end and the hurdles and mountains that pop up in life as we all search for what makes us say “YES”.

claudiaswisher's review against another edition

4.0

I connected with Flan from the very beginning...the insulated life in married housing, surrounded by so many international students and their families, all living in near-poverty in search of a dream. Then Brandeis twists the story to make us really look at our ugly suspicions of people who are different, who dare to hang onto their own beliefs and customs while living here. I was proud of the stand she took with her neighbor, Sodaba, while at the same time, ashamed of her apparent abandonment of Nori in the hospital. I appreciated the frank discussion of what our country stands for, to those of us who were born here, and to those of us who have moved here. Yolanda said it best: "Everyone belongs in America. That's what America is for." Maybe not, in a post 9/11 world. How very sad.

The Walt Whitman tie-in has me rereading Leaves of Grass!