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smiti_nathan's review against another edition
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This story is more of a character study, than one with a gripping plot. The narrator (Aaliya) is a 72-year-old Beiruti woman, which I appreciated. It was fascinating to hear about Lebanon's history and Aaliya definitely had a strong perspective. I appreciated Rabih Alameddine's characterization of Aaliya, as he made her feel human. Yes, she is a bit of a misanthrope, but she's a complex human and that came though. She's also a book lover. Some of her perspectives about other people and nations were a bit jarring. I'm not completely sure how I feel about them and if they are situated well enough for me. The reader is told at certain points that they aren't going to get big answers or epiphanies. The way the story unravels is more about daily life and recalling memories from the past.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and that narrator did a fantastic job. This was a great listen for running errands, travel, or when you have bits of time here and there. I don't think I would have finished it if I had read it, but listening to it was great.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and that narrator did a fantastic job. This was a great listen for running errands, travel, or when you have bits of time here and there. I don't think I would have finished it if I had read it, but listening to it was great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: War, Antisemitism, Violence, and Suicide
teresareads's review
This is the kind of book I can imagine myself loving five or six years ago, but I'm currently not in a place where I can easily sink into the kind of meandering, plotless book that this is. I liked the main character and her voice quite a lot, but her disjointed storytelling style, plus the lack of chapter breaks, made it hard for me to get a purchase on this book. I think it's a very good example of the kind of thing that it is, but this kind of thing is just not for me right now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, and Sexual violence
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