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criticalgayze's review
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Like with Exit West, this book poses some interesting questions. These are two that really stuck with me:
- What gives a person their "self?"
- Does a change in one's "self," especially a drastic change, make them more aware of who they are or less aware?
While Hamid is amazing at positing deep moral questions, unlike with Exit West, I don't think this book goes quite far enough in addressing them or their repercussions in the specific world he's laid out here. It is sad to think, but I don't think the violence of the moment likely escalates to its logical end point, and I think the ledge is come down from rather too quickly and smoothly.
We also get a rather random glimpse at a possible aware external narrator who only presents themselves once, which makes it feel like an original structure idea that forgot to be fully excised from the final edit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Racism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Hate crime, Gun violence, Murder, and Chronic illness
Minor: Addiction
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