Scan barcode
nfoutty's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction and Racism
Minor: Gun violence and Police brutality
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.
Graphic: Police brutality, Racism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief, Hate crime, Gun violence, Murder, and Chronic illness
Minor: Addiction
More...