Scan barcode
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
aquakirst's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
3.75
incredibly poignant, especially in light of the genocide happening in palestine
the vignettes of various people peppered throughout the story were beautifully written, and i was invested in every story hamid chose to tell. i did find his prose a bit clunky at times, like he was trying too hard to be poetic when simplicity would have been more evocative, but overall exit west is a beautiful story of love, loss and hope
the vignettes of various people peppered throughout the story were beautifully written, and i was invested in every story hamid chose to tell. i did find his prose a bit clunky at times, like he was trying too hard to be poetic when simplicity would have been more evocative, but overall exit west is a beautiful story of love, loss and hope
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, and War
Minor: Xenophobia and Racism
emvdw's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
I read this as the atrocious situation in Gaza was evolving and it was very sobering and made it quite a hard read for me. Not because of the book itself, but the context made it hard to get through. Part of the message of the book, of course, is that this context is happening all the time, all over, so I shouldn't have a hard time reading this book NOW as opposed to any other time, but it is undeniable that the news cycle has an effect on what is on the forefront of your mind.
I really liked this book. It is written in a very peculiar way, and it feels a bit detached sometimes. This is what held me back from giving it a full 5 stars, because I didn't feel fully connected to the characters. It's a bit hard to describe, but I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, but challenging and interesting read.
I really liked this book. It is written in a very peculiar way, and it feels a bit detached sometimes. This is what held me back from giving it a full 5 stars, because I didn't feel fully connected to the characters. It's a bit hard to describe, but I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, but challenging and interesting read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Sexual assault, and Xenophobia
knkoch's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Great proof that sci-fi doesn't have to be elaborate or ornate to make a deep impact. In this case, one seemingly small sci-fi element has an immensely freeing effect, providing new insight into the world we currently live in, and the one we may not be far from. I found this a very thoughtful commentary on borders, the global North and South, inequity, and, crucially, what positive forms of new world order could be possible. This reminded me of Sea of Tranquility and Parable of the Sower.
I wasn't as drawn in by the two central characters of this story as I wished; I found the ideas more interesting and developed. But the relationship that developed was quite tender and gentle, jarring when interrupted by violence as the plot progressed.
I wasn't as drawn in by the two central characters of this story as I wished; I found the ideas more interesting and developed. But the relationship that developed was quite tender and gentle, jarring when interrupted by violence as the plot progressed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, and Murder
peachani's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Islamophobia and Racism
Minor: Violence, War, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Sexism, and Sexual content
theliteraryhooker's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A moving story that felt very introspective while also commenting on our world and society as a whole. Heartbreaking yet hopeful in equal measure. I felt the book dragged a bit in the middle which I think the slower pace in that sec ion may have been intentional given the context of the book but it still pulled my attention out of the story a bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death of parent
seraphimgt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
Beautiful prose and interesting themes to reflect on
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual assault
lanosmith5's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and War
Moderate: Racism
suzsta's review against another edition
reflective
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? No
3.25
Saeed and Nadia are refugees from an unnamed country and an unnamed conflict; they, and millions of others, find their escape when a series of portal doors to other countries begin springing up out of nowhere, leading them on a journey through countries as they search for home. A quiet meditation on the nature of borders, community, and the pressures a relationship endures under such circumstances.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Death of parent
chaoticnostalgia's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death of parent, Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Drug use, Excrement, and Car accident
Minor: Infidelity