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myriadreads's review against another edition
4.0
Striking. Brutal. Definitely made me think from a new perspective. A valuable read, if unpleasant at times.
emmamgregory's review against another edition
3.0
Harbor is a book about an Algerian named Aziz who is an illegal immigrant having stowed himself into America on a cargo ship. The story vacillates between the present time where Aziz is always looking for under the table work and his time in Algeria where he was forced into the civil war. The storyline was very disjointed and the way Adams weaves the other characters from Algeria and America into the story left me feeling confused and wanting more background. An average book but if you're looking for in depth characters, a look into the life of an illegal immigrant and more details on Algeria this is not the book for you.
libbymon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
beccajdb's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
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
4.0
Compelling insight into the lives of people trying to escape the trauma and persecution of their home country. Unforgiving in its portrayal of brutality, but never gratuitous. Rare to find a book in which the characters are so complex in their shift between right and wrong.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Torture, Genocide, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Violence
ginbat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
2.0
There just wasn't much of a story. I didn't think there was one at all for the first half of the book. The second half was a thriller, which had potential. But the ending was ultimately nothing. Where there should have been a climax there was nothing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Grief, Death, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Gore, Murder, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Minor: Kidnapping, Police brutality, War, Abandonment, Deportation, and Religious bigotry
The main character witnessed the horrors of essentially a civil war in the country and saw some pretty horrific shit. and even participated..disasterchick's review against another edition
3.0
I probably would never have read this book if it hadn't been for the TALK Book Discussion offered through the Kansas Humanites Council. This is probably a pretty accurate description of an illegal immigrant Arab in today's United States. Harbor is well written, however, it seemed to be great detail until the end where it is quickly wrapped up. I had to read the last several pages over again because it was very fast - especially considering the previous detail. Strong feeling are developed for the characters - both positive and negative. Are we too quick to judge illegal aliens and Arabs in the USA?
martha_w's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. That first chapter just grabs you and shakes you around for a bit. The book follows Aziz Arkoun's struggle as an illegal immigrant in Boston and then contrasts it with his life back in Algeria. Great characters and a fascinating and tragic story.
christythelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
The story follows an Algerian Muslim in the United States. Aziz' narration is credible and haunting - I do not know how Adams managed to imagine such a voice.
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