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loz_reads11's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Great opening, well structured and full of mystery. Why move to focus on other characters around the world? Why are so many places left unnamed? Really builds tone and intrigue. In some ways it felt like an extended short story by the end - little character development and instead more open ended questioning about the characters and the new normal they now exist within.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, and War
violerwolf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Hamid’s circular, winding prose is definitely not for everyone, and I think it probably turns a lot of people away from this book. This style works really well though at creating a sense of calm inevitability throughout the book, that everything that happens will happen because of who the characters are and what the world is. Hamid’s focus on intersectionality within the novel plays well with the larger themes of immigration and community. Similarly, the lack of specificity of where Nadia and Saeed are from creates the sense that they could be anyone and everyone. I did find the characterization awkward at points, and I went into the book originally assuming the doors to be a much larger part of the plot rather than a simple allegory for open/uncontrolled borders, but overall I’m excited to check out Hamid’s other work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Police brutality, Grief, Sexism, Drug use, Death of parent, Abandonment, Classism, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Death, War, Confinement, and Racism
paigehf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, and Gore
Moderate: Misogyny
julesfrigault's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: War
violetends's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Sexual harassment, and War
Moderate: Gun violence, Police brutality, Confinement, and Racism
kashrae99's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, War, Gun violence, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Violence, Death, and Genocide
katiecentabar's review against another edition
challenging
sad
slow-paced
3.5
While the language is plain and clear, the lengthy sentences made this book hard to get through. I almost enjoyed reading it out loud more than quietly That said, it's a magical depiction of war, migration and being a human.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
natashaball's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Was expecting a bit more of the life in Syria, with a longer build-up before the escaping through the door. However I did really like this book, the descriptions of both the different worlds and the characters were interesting and realistic, especially the breakdown of the relationship .
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Death of parent
maybreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
A very quick read which explores some very interesting concepts. I felt that the magic doors were not fleshed out fully and the random cutaway scenes did not always jive with the larger narrative. What I really liked about this story was the way it explored the relationship of the protagonists and the strain which war and constant flight put on it. I thought the first half of the story was better, afterwards there are practically no even slightly fleshed out character's besides the main two. Up until they go through the door you have some relevant side characters, namley the parents. Afterwards every other character feels like a plot device which I thought was sad.
Another thing is the style of the prose which was something I had never encountered before. It's incredibly descriptive, maybe poetic while simutaniously feeling almost deadpan and detached. It was a very curious thing to read. Still, or maybe even due to this peculiar narrating voice, the novel was a very easy read and truly enjoyable.
Another thing is the style of the prose which was something I had never encountered before. It's incredibly descriptive, maybe poetic while simutaniously feeling almost deadpan and detached. It was a very curious thing to read. Still, or maybe even due to this peculiar narrating voice, the novel was a very easy read and truly enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, War, Death, and Drug use
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Rating: 3/5 stars
Nadia and Saeed flee their war-torn nation through a magical door that can help people travel long distances.
I buddy read this one with my friend Hannah and our conversation about it was…probably my favorite part of the read. This wasn’t bad, exactly, but I never really got pulled into the story, and I found myself feeling like this book was trying to make deep points with meaningfully political commentary, yet none of it was landing for me. I couldn’t even tell you what I thought the main philosophical/intellectual takeaways from this were, which is never a great sign.
That said, this is a very short read, and others might find more to connect with! For me, I wanted to see the magical realism element explored a LOT more, and wanted more plot points that grabbed me and made me feel emotionally connected with the story.
CW: Violence/war/blood; death of parent; xenophobia/racism
Nadia and Saeed flee their war-torn nation through a magical door that can help people travel long distances.
I buddy read this one with my friend Hannah and our conversation about it was…probably my favorite part of the read. This wasn’t bad, exactly, but I never really got pulled into the story, and I found myself feeling like this book was trying to make deep points with meaningfully political commentary, yet none of it was landing for me. I couldn’t even tell you what I thought the main philosophical/intellectual takeaways from this were, which is never a great sign.
That said, this is a very short read, and others might find more to connect with! For me, I wanted to see the magical realism element explored a LOT more, and wanted more plot points that grabbed me and made me feel emotionally connected with the story.
CW: Violence/war/blood; death of parent; xenophobia/racism
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Racism, Religious bigotry, and War