Reviews

Ours Are the Streets by Sunjeev Sahota

timevictorious's review

challenging dark

3.25

baolade's review

dark informative reflective tense 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

3.75

carolineroche's review

5.0

Even though the subject matter of this book is grim - a young man training to be a suicide bomber - it is actually a wonderful book. Imtiaz is a second generation immigrant, living in Sheffield, and he doesn’t really know where he belongs. When he makes a trip back to Pakistan to bury his father there, he finds a whole new family and community, and becomes immersed in what is going on locally. On a trip to Kashmir with new found friends he makes his fateful decision. The story of his inner life is told through a diary in Sheffield as Imtiaz becomes increasingly detached from his English persona and wraps himself in the mindset of a suicide bomber. A great and important read.

heathssm's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.5

kiranh's review

challenging dark reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

dalet3's review

5.0

[!]

snoakes7001's review against another edition

5.0

Lots of people didn't seem to like this one too much, but I really enjoyed it. Fascinating and compelling - I couldn't put it down.

elliesbrains's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective 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

bibliobethreads's review against another edition

2.0

I first heard an interview with this author on the Guardian books podcast and the book sounded so intriguing that I felt I had to read it. However, I was a bit disappointed! Okay - its quite uncomfortable reading about a suicide bomber but I felt the story lacked depth and vitality. To be honest, I was glad to finish it.

abi_coupe's review

dark sad 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