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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
time4tori2read's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, War, Sexual content, and Grief
amberinbookland's review
slow-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and War
arisgreatadventure's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.5
Overall I enjoyed this book. It's not one I would have picked up without having been assigned to read it, but I'm glad I did all the same. I really appreciated its exploration of how relationships, particularly romantic ones, change in times of great stress, pressure, and conflict. At what point you're staying together because its all you know instead of because there is any remaining affection there. I think that is something readers may be able to connect to even if they have never experienced anything like what Nadia and Saeed did. I didn't expect that they would split in the end, especially from the reviews I read which described it as a beautiful romance, but the honesty and realism of that made me like the book more than I would have otherwise.
Where this book didn't hit it home as much for me were the magical realism aspects. I was so intrigued by the concept of the doors, and there was a lot that was explored in the short stories about living in a world with these doors that I really appreciated. However, it being the only element of magical realism while also being such a stark influence on the whole world of the book made me long for more of an explanation that we never got. That may just be my preference. I also struggled to connect to Saeed and Nadia at times. They are both morally gray characters, which I think serves the story and message well, but sometimes I felt like there was no reason why I should care what happened to them.
All the same, it is a well written story that touches on some interesting topics, and if you find the concept compelling it is only a little over 200 pages, so I would recommend giving it a go.
Where this book didn't hit it home as much for me were the magical realism aspects. I was so intrigued by the concept of the doors, and there was a lot that was explored in the short stories about living in a world with these doors that I really appreciated. However, it being the only element of magical realism while also being such a stark influence on the whole world of the book made me long for more of an explanation that we never got. That may just be my preference. I also struggled to connect to Saeed and Nadia at times. They are both morally gray characters, which I think serves the story and message well, but sometimes I felt like there was no reason why I should care what happened to them.
All the same, it is a well written story that touches on some interesting topics, and if you find the concept compelling it is only a little over 200 pages, so I would recommend giving it a go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Grief, and War
jenniferthinks's review
dark
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-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
4.5
I recommend the audiobook if you’re looking for a smooth, poetic telling of a parable on migration and immigration, of an intimacy over time, of a relationship weaving its way through life.
I saw the mixed reviews, and I’m one for whom the writing resonated so deeply. I loved the feeling that I was being told a story by generations in the future, by someone who knows how it all unfolds, but gently brings us there with him. And the confidence in which each character is written and acts is admirable.
One aspect that I really appreciate about the story is how Nadya’s veil is treated as a personal choice, and how she wears it as a form of resistance. I appreciate that the veil is nuanced, and personal, and not looked at through the eyes of a euro-centric perspective.
I saw the mixed reviews, and I’m one for whom the writing resonated so deeply. I loved the feeling that I was being told a story by generations in the future, by someone who knows how it all unfolds, but gently brings us there with him. And the confidence in which each character is written and acts is admirable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Death, Drug use, Grief, and Gun violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, and Xenophobia
lizzyfields's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Death of parent, Death, Sexism, and Sexual content
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