Reviews

North of Dawn by Nuruddin Farah

old_nikon_fm's review against another edition

2.0

Interesting but ultimately an unsatisfying read.

jcqln112's review

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

fuzzyhebrew's review

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Most of the comments on this book are warning readers of stilted dialogue and lack of character development. I agree with the stilted dialogue but I still found myself gravitating towards this book even when I was tired, when I wasn't in a reading mood etc. The book takes a very hard stance against muslim jihad. There are little to no redeeming traits of anyone involved in those activities. Despite this I found myself feeling empathy for Waliya, who is 30 years old, already widowed, with two children when she arrives in Norway as a refugee. She experiences culture shock and is immediately vilified by some of the other characters for not wanting to conform. 
I did like the character development of the children and seeing how their exposure to a different culture changed their perspectives on the world.
I did think it was a bit odd that the book seems to juxtapose neo nazi ideology and muslim terrorism ideology as though those are the only two extremist viewpoints in the world. Maybe I am just coming into it with my own skewed perspective.  

onomatopoeia320's review against another edition

4.0

The unique voice of a male Somali feminist.

bosting52's review

3.0

The characters in this book, and their complex relationships, propelled the story and kept me engaged, despite a slower pace.

The premise of this book drew me in, but it never delivered on delving into the complexities and humanity of extremism. The writer graciously and kindly wrote most of the characters, but the ones deemed “evil” were one-note.

gracie_wirzba's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative 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

3.75

kristinetherese's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

elienore's review

emotional informative reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Xenophobia, Violence, and Physical abuse

Minor: Hate crime, Alcohol, Suicide, and Rape

annamontana's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-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

Mugdi and Gacalo are Somalis living in Oslo. They have lived there for years. Now their son's widow and children are moving to Oslo. How will they assimilate? Will they take on their stepfather's extremist views?
This is a slow but moving story of cultures, extremists (both Jihadi and skin head), and family. The characters are well written. Tensions rise and fall through out the book but never leave totally. I want to read more by the author, who is a well known Somali author.

foxgallagher's review against another edition

emotional hopeful slow-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

3.0