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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
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
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
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
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
miachalupa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Xenophobia, War, and Violence
Moderate: Violence, Confinement, Death of parent, Gun violence, Police brutality, and Drug use